DONATIONS of food and toys plus a load of party bags from people attending a New Year’s Eve gala dinner in Benalmadena were delivered to Torrevieja thanks to David’s Coaches at the beginning of January.
The donations were made by holidaymakers, customers of Overseas Supermarket with the support of James Lound, manager of the supermarket.
A further food donation will shortly be on its way to the Cruz Roja, again highlighting the sheer generosity of local people.
David and Lorraine Whitney, local fundraisers, were happy to collect and deliver the goods to the offices of the Cruz Roja in Torrevieja and donate their own items.
They would like to thank everybody who has shown support.
“I ASK the Three Wise Men for peace, employment and social justice for our city. I ask that they bring what we need to allow us to be happy and develop our life projects in 2023.” This is the wish that the mayor of Elche, Carlos Gonzalez, made to the Three Wise Men at the reception held at the town hall.
The mayor, accompanied by the councillor for Fiestas, Mariola Galiana, received their Majesties on Thursday, January 5, in the Placa de Baix. Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar arrived at the
town hall square in a spectacular vintage car amidst the applause of the people of Elche.
Hundreds of little ones presented their requests in person to Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar at the reception held in the Patio de Armas of the Palacio de Altamira.
“It is a special day for the city and especially for the little ones, the boys and girls who place all their hopes on a magical night such as the Night of the Three Wise Men,” said the mayor.
Issue No. 1958 12 - 18 January 2023 FREE • GRATIS COSTA BLANCA SOUTH • EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM THE BEST FINANCE NEWS ON PAGES 30 34
Image: Elche City Council VINTAGE STYLE STILL GIVING
KINGS ARRIVAL: In a spectacular vintage car for the town hall reception.
Animal blessings Upgrade for plaza
ELCHE Town Hall is set to invest around €100,000 for the complete remodelling of the Plaza El Parquet in Calle Antonio Machado.
On Tuesday, January 10, the councillor for Infrastructures, Hector Diez, reported that: “The work will start on Monday, January 16, with an expected completion of two months.”
The public space located a few metres from the Plaza Crevillent is bounded by Calles Antonio Machado, Concepcion Arenal and Doctor Sapena. The councillor pointed out the area is about 1,300 square metres in size and has a large number of traditional establishments and restaurants with terraces, as well as banks.
He confirmed: “The enclave is in poor condition due to the passage of time and will not be given a facelift as the residents had been requesting, but works will give rise to a new plaza as a result of its complete renovation and modernisation.”
Included in the remodelling, all the urban furniture such as benches and litter bins will be changed, and modern LED street lamps will be installed and relocated to gain new points of light.
Magic and Illusion
MAGIC and illusion returned to the streets of Pinoso with the arrival of the Three Wise Men on Thursday, January 5.
The great Three Wise Men Parade once again brought together hundreds of people on the Paseo de la Constitucion to enjoy a unique and magical afternoon.
Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar travelled along the Paseo de la Constitucion with their majestic floats, ac
companied by an entourage of 300 people witnessed by huge crowds who did not want to miss the magical moment, especially the children who were eagerly awaiting them with happy faces.
In the Royal Procession, there were three riders from the Fran Saez Riding School who opened the parade, the Christmas Star and the float with the representation of
the Nativity of Baby Jesus followed. Also taking part were characters from the Paw Patrol, a fire and juggling show, and inflatable figures, among others.
Along the route, thousands of toys that the Department of Festivities acquired for children were distributed by members of the committees of Pinoso festivals and royal emissaries.
DO you have a furry friend that you would like blessed? The patron saint of animals, San Anton, is being celebrated in Orihuela on January 15.
The councillor for Festivities, Antonio Sanchez, has confirmed that the day will begin with a parade around the neighbourhood at 9.00am, following which there will be a mass in honour of San Antonio Abad. After the mass, all the animals who head to the church will be blessed.
Anthony of Padua, also known as Anthony of Lisbon, was a Portuguese Catholic priest and Franciscan Order friar. He was born in Lisbon to a wealthy family and was one of the most quickly canonised saints in church history, less than a year after his death.
It is said that San Anton liked to live surrounded by as many animals as possible, when he finally died, his legend spread like wildfire and many shepherds trusted him to protect their animals. This was the start of the celebrations.
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The Three Wise Men.
Image: Pinoso City Council
Kings on bikes Plaza
de Toros
ALICANTE City Council is putting the spotlight on the Plaza de Toros building as a space for holding cultural and musical events. The idea is to install a retractable dome ceiling which can be removed or put in place depending on the weather.
Rojales plague
A BYZANTINE necropolis from the sixth century AD on the banks of the Segura river in Rojales (Alicante) became the oldest trace on the peninsula of the first documented global pandemic, the socalled ‘Justinian plague’, with some 30 tombs with fathers and mothers hugging their children.
Reduced help
ELDA City Council has invested more than €650,000 in the last quarter of 2022 in asphalt pavement works and reform aimed at improving pavement accessibility to facilitate the passage of people with reduced mobility.
Clearing banks
THE Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) has begun the task of clearing exotic invasive reeds (Arundo donax) in the new channel of the mouth of the river in Guardamar del Segura. The action is to put a stop to the overgrowth of the exotic cane.
Preferred location
BASED on data collected on searches for domestic destinations for future checkins in 2023 a study carried out by the platform, Airbnb, specialists in the supply of tourist accommodation, has shown that Alicante is the preferred Spanish tourist destination for domestic visitors to travel to in 2023.
Resolving problems
SANTA POLA is set to reorganise the traffic in the area of the local senior schools with new parking spaces and roundabouts in a bid to resolve the historical traffic problems.
The work will require an investment of more than €640,000.
The new project, which will soon be approved by the Governing Board, provides for the construction of an access lane from the Ronda Norte to the senior schools and the creation of a 131space car park in the area, with spaces reserved for bicycles and motorcycles.
The work is due to be carried out in the coming month.
On Monday, January 9, the councillor for Infrastructures, Trini Ortiz, emphasised that “it is a very important project
that will change the appearance of the area and will help us reorganise traffic.
“A roundabout will be built to facilitate access to Calle del Mar and the institutes,
and an access area from the Ronda to be able to drop off schoolchildren quickly and safely, which will only be used for buses.”
Crescendo International Choir
CRESCENDO INTERNATIONAL CHOIR performed several wellattended concerts in December, mixing a variety of popular modern, contemporary and Christmas songs
The concert held on Saturday, December 10 in Benijofar’s Catholic Church raised almost €140 for the local food bank. The second concert took place on Saturday, December 17 at La Siesta
Evangelical Church in Torrevieja, raising almost €200 for churchsupported charities. Earlier in December, Crescendo performed a
Energy plan
ALICANTE City Council is taking another step forward in the implementation of its Sustainable Energy Plan with the installation of 3,063 photovoltaic solar panels on 30 municipal buildings. This will make the city a benchmark in the reduction of electricity consumption by renewable energies in Spain.
On Tuesday, January 10, the councillor of Infrastructures, Jose Ramon Gonzalez, pointed out that “with these new panels we will achieve a clean energy production of 1.0109 Mw and a reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions of 868.71 Tn/year.”
The work will require an investment of €998,809 and has the aim of achieving a cleaner and more sustainable economy.
The work of installing solar panels has been carried out in recent months and with it, according to the mayor Jose Ramon Gonzalez, “a saving of nearly €1 million to the municipal coffers and provide clean and free electricity in our facilities that meet the requirements for installation, a very beneficial project that is committed to investing in renewable energy that will generate significant economic savings.”
If
Crescendo, see their website at crescendochoir.com. The choir would be delighted to have more male singers, especially basses. The choir includes sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. The group sings a variety of songs, in English and Spanish.
Rehearsals take place at Rincon de Miguel in Los Montesinos Mondays 5.45pm to 8pm. All singers are welcome!
Goal keeper or shooter
NEW Year, New You Come and join either the Rojales (regular or walking) Netball Club.
Do you want to get fit and healthy and meet new people in the process, then come along to the 5.30pm session for walking netball and 7.00 to 8.30pm on a Tuesday at the Norwegian School in Quesada.
It’s so much more enjoyable to do some form of exercise when you are part of a team that don’t take themselves too seriously and just want to have fun and enjoyment.
Whether you want to restart the sport you played when in your home country, try a new sport altogether or rekindle your youth from when you played at school, Rojales Netball are the club for
you. Contact either Tracey or Claire on 679 539 995 or 680 300 637.
MORE than 200 motorbikes rode through the streets of Orihuela and its districts celebrating the Three Kings Motorbike Route on Friday, January 6.
Organised by Moteros de Levante in collaboration with the Local Police of Orihuela the event witnessed more than 200 bikers, dressed in various fancy dress costumes making a tour of Orihuela and its districts, filling the streets with colour and illlusion.
Manolo Albero, president of Moteros de Levante, confirmed: “This Ruta Motera was born in 2021 when there was no Epiphany parade due to the pandemic, so we decided to go out with our motorbikes to brighten up Epiphany for the children.”
Manolo added: “The first year there were very few participants, but this year, with the large influx of bikers, we can say that it is an event that has been consolidated in the biker and Christmas calendar of Orihuela.”
Deputy mayor of Orihuela, Jose Aix, who was in charge of cutting the ribbon said: “It is an event that grows year after year and leaves a very beautiful image through the streets of Orihuela and its districts.”
NIBS EXTRA FOR MORE NEWS STORIES euroweeklynews.com EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 3 NEWS euroweeklynews.com publishes more content both online at euroweeklynews.com and in its papers than any other English news publication in Spain. The Euro Weekly News Even better, our news online and in print is FREE and we promise to always keep it that way.
NEW PROJECT: To improve traffic in the area of local senior schools.
Image: Santa Pola City Council
fundraising Christmas concert with the Royal British Legion Band at Cardenal Belluga Theatre in San Fulgencio.
interested in joining
The Choir performing a fundraiser concert at Iglesia Santiago Apostal in Benijofar.
Image: Crescendo choir
Delightful delivery
AN Elche football club welcomed in the new year and its 100th year on Tuesday, January 10. Elche CF marked the huge milestone with a toast where fans came together to celebrate their shared passion.
The Federación Peñas del Elche fan group organised the event alongside members of the club’s management and city council department for Sport to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the club’s registration.
Energetic fans came together for the toast on Tuesday morning before placing a banner on the bridge to the city marketplace reading, “The story of a feeling. The pride of
an entire city.”
Local councillor for Sports, Vicente Alberola gave a speech saying, “Today we’re celebrating one of the most important events in our city’s history. Today is a day to celebrate and be happy, we have a team in the First Division and an excellent stadium.”
The club are set to launch a programme of events to mark the centenary next week which will include exciting initiatives including commemorative awards for the 100 oldest fans of the club, an exhibition, a contest for local schoolchildren, and themed stadium visits.
PINOSO has showed its festive spirit with a mega donation of more than 80 kilograms of food supplies, other essential items, and money to the Navalón Sisters, a convent in Navalón, in Valencia.
Local residents got stuck into a donation campaign over Christmas, coming up with the huge haul of donations which included nonperishable foods like tinned
food and UHT milk and cooking supplies like oil, essential items like blankets and cash donations.
The donations will support the nuns in their community-centred humanitarian work. The Navalón Sisters are part of the global Little Sisters of the Lamb order and work and pray for the poor across the world.
The local parish priest, Juan Bautista Llinare, visited
Football feat Residency rise
Centenary celebrations for Elche Football Club began with a banner drop and a toast.
POPULATION data from Torrevieja has revealed fascinating residency trends in the city from the last year. Interestingly, British nationals have fallen from the top spot in terms of numbers in the city, overtaken by both Ukrainian and Russian residents.
Data released on Monday, January 9, revealed that the city now has a population of 91,731, of which nearly 55 per cent are Spanish nationals. The
city is evidently a multicultural hotspot, with the remaining 45 per cent of residents hailing from 121
the convent tucked away in the Navalón hillside, near to Valencia with several committed members of the parish to deliver several huge boxes of donations collected in Pinoso over the festive period.
Bautista Llinare thanked parishioners and the local community for their generosity and assured them that their donations will go a long way.
countries around the globe!
The Spanish asylum scheme to support refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is thought to have influenced this year’s residency data, including by increasing the number of women in the city to become a majority in the population at 51 per cent.
And for the first time in history, Ukrainians became the largest portion of foreign residents in the city with 5,771 Ukrainians registered in the city. The secondlargest foreign nationality was Russian with 4,932, followed by British people with 4,815 Brits calling the city home.
Colombians also overtook Moroccans for fourth biggest nationalist in the city, marking another first.
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Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Elche
Photo credit: Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja
Ukrainian nationals now make up the largest group of foreign residents in the city of Torrevieja.
Culinary credit
THE famed Spanish cuisine is once again in the global spotlight thanks to a new ranking which placed Spain in third place for the ‘World’s Best Cuisine’. TasteAtlas released its 2022 rankings on Friday, January 6, giving Spain an overall score of 4.59 stars out of 5.
The ranking of global cuisines is released by gastronomic experts at the platform each year who identify top dishes, ingredients and restaurants in each country and compile reviews from diners to find the most popular global cuisine.
The last year’s list was topped by Italy with a score of 4.72 stars. The country’s speciality ingredients of Parmigiana Reggiano, pesto and prosciutto were highlighted as favourites. Greek cuisine came a close second in the rankings with a score of 4.69 stars, thanks to its top rated foods of Kalamata, Gyros and
AMID the increasing cost of living, many of us are looking for changes to save money. One study has found the cheapest city to live in, in Spain, so if you’re looking to switch it up, check out this city in northern Spain.
The study released by insurance specialists, Kelista, on Monday, January 8 revealed that living costs in Palencia are 30 per cent lower than the Spanish average. During the project, cities were compared on 14 key economic indicators including housing, transport, taxes, and leisure.
Residents in the city make an average of €23,500 per year, meaning they get better
SPANISH officials have announced their bid for the EU to extend the price cap on gas until at least the end of 2024.
Speaking on Monday, January 9, government minister, Teresa Ribera said that Spain is asking Brussels for the measure to stabilise utility prices in the coming year.
The current price cap on gas used to generate electricity is nicknamed the ‘Iberian Exception’ as it applies to Spain and Portugal. Both countries have been paying €40 per megawatt hour for the gas since the scheme came in on June 15, but the rate is set to increase by
Cheapest city
value for their money than most other cities in the country.
Second place went to the enclave of Melilla, with costs of living 17 per cent below the national average. Other cheap places to live include Lugo, Logroño, Cáceres, Zamora, and León. On the other hand, the most expensive places to live were unsurprisingly Barcelona and Madrid. San Sebastian in the Basque Country was also ranked as having one of the highest costs of living.
Gas cap extension
€5 per megawatt hour each month until the current proposed end date of the scheme in May.
Ribera said that the Spanish government has developed a
proposal for the extension of the scheme until European regulations on gas and electricity production have been updated, which will stabilise the market.
She explained “We want to keep the gas cap in place until at least the end of 2024, with a rate of €45 to €50 per megawatt hour.”
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Betty Henderson
Moussaka. Spanish cuisine came in third place in the global ranking thanks to deli-
cious dishes including Gambas a la Plancha, Jamón Iberico, and Manchego cheeses.
Dishes including Spain’s gambas a la Plancha earned the country third place on a global cuisine ranking.
Photo credit: hlphoto / shutterstock.com
TOBACCO companies in Spain could be forced to pay to clean up all the discarded cigarette butts, as per the new environmental regulations.
The law, in accordance with the European Union rules, aims to limit singleuse plastic after it came into effect from Friday January 6 onwards.
It is a part of several measures that have been designed by the Spanish
Stub it out
Shutterstock.com/ Larina Marina
Take years to decompose.
Not so cute
UNLIKE the vast majority of caterpillars, this particular species can be harmful to young children and sometimes fatal to dogs and cats.
Between December and April, the larvae will make their way to the ground to pupate and eventually turn into moths between May and July. It is during these months that pets and young children are most vulnerable.
The processionary caterpillar is mostly found in pine trees in wooded forests and can be identified by the thousands of small fine poisonous hairs or bristles that cover their bodies, they are roughly three to four centimetres in length. The name ‘processionary’ comes from the fact that they create a procession or caterpillar-style ‘conga’ from head to tail to form a long chain. It is not unheard of to see chains with hundreds of them all joined together.
government to reduce waste and increase the amount of recycling in the country as well as obligating polluters to clean-up.
According to a study done in Catalonia, cited by a national news source, the total cost of cigarette butt clean-up is estimated between €12€21 per smoker per annum, which in total amounts to over €1 billion.
Although it still remains unclear how the clean-up will be implemented, experts suggest that the tobacco companies will eventually pass this cost on to the customer.
According to environmental experts, each butt takes over 10 years to decompose. Several toxins including arsenic and lead are also released into the atmosphere during their decomposition process.
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Rudest cities
Betty Henderson
AN amusing study claims to have found the top 10 rudest cities in Spain, and there are some surprises on the list!
The research, released by Preply data analytics site on Thursday, January 5 is based on interviews with 1,500 residents in 19 regions of the country.
Participants in the study were asked to categorise rudeness in different cities on a scale of one to 10 and to define rude behaviour that they had come across in each of the locations.
Announcing the results of the survey, researchers explained that although some cities are considered ruder than others, people in Spain are generally thought to be polite, or at least they are in public!
The top 10 rudest cities in Spain are Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Granada, Elche, San Sebastián, Bilbao, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Malaga, Valladolid, and Madrid.
On the other hand, the study also revealed the
most polite cities in Spain.
The northern city of Vigo came out on top thanks to
the generosity of its residents and openness to strangers.
Parade tragedy
ONE person was killed and four more injured after a tractor lost control during a Three Kings parade in the municipality of Marchena in Sevilla on Thursday, January 5.
For reasons as yet unknown, a tractor carrying the carriage of King Balthasar lost control while travelling down an incline.
One of those seriously injured in the incident which occurred at around 8.15pm was said to be a child. After running through a crowd of people, the tractor eventually collided with a wall in Plaza de San Andres.
Emergency services deployed two ambulances complete with two teams of medics. They also dispatched patrols from the Guardia Civil and the Local Police, as well as a team of firefighters from the Sevilla Fire Brigade.
The child was transferred to the Virgen del Rocio Children's Hospital in Sevilla. Another seriously injured person was transferred to the Traumatology department of the same hospital. Two other people were treated for minor injuries.
New Year’s greetings
THE Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, sent New Year wishes to the Guadarrama XII Brigade, who deployed a contingent of 400 soldiers to the NATO mission
Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Latvia on Sunday, January 8.
Robles announced in her congratulatory message that she will visit them in Latvia at
Spanish tourists
SPAIN was visited by 4.3 million international tourists in November 2022, which reached almost the same amount who arrived in the same month of 2019. These travellers spent €5,387 million on their trip and stay, €319 million more (6.2 per cent) than in November 2019, according to data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE). The Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto said, “2022 will be remembered as the year of the recovery of tourism after the impact of the pandemic. According to our forecasts, during 2022 the number of international tourists who will have visited Spain will exceed 71.5 million and the accumulated expenditure will reach €87.1 billion.”
During her speech on Wednesday, December 4, the Minister of Tourism added: “The control of inflation in the last months of the year, together with the measures implemented by the government to deal with the impact of the war in Ukraine are facilitating the arrival of tourists to our country, with increases in spending and average stay, which makes us optimistic about the year 2023.”
the end of this month.
“The army and the Ukrainian citizens have shown that with morale, bravery and heroism, anything is possible,” said the minister, adding that “the army, and in particular this brigade, has all of this, and is always on the front line.”
Robles stressed that the professionalism and dedication of the Spanish army is highly valued abroad, and later she spoke with the brigade’s personnel and wished them all the best, both personally and professionally.
“This has been a very difficult year for the world, with a war that we never thought we would suffer, but at the same time a year in which the Guadarrama Brigade and all its units can feel very proud of the work they have done,” Robles remarked.
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RUDE RESIDENTS : Santa Cruz de Tenerife was voted as Spain’s rudest city in a recent study.
Photo credit: RossHelen / shutterstock.com
Military missions
SPAIN is expected to send four military missions overseas in 2023 according to officials at the annual armed forces parade in Madrid on Friday, January 6. Forces will work for the United Nations, the European Union and NATO in military operations in Iraq, Lebanon, Mali and the Horn of Africa.
The annual military event took place at the Royal Palace in Madrid, with King Felipe VI making a speech.
The King praised Spanish armed forces’ commitment to their country and the international organisations they serve.
This year’s event saw a return to pre pandemic scale proceedings, and authorities spoke about the most pressing military issues for the upcoming year.
The situation in Ukraine was at the top of the agenda for officials, with the King describing it as one of the
biggest challenges facing Europe and threatening security across the continent and in the entire world.
Defence spending has been increased in the 2023 budget to deal with the pressures of the war.
Spain’s response to the war in the last year has included welcoming refugees and increasing Spanish military presence in Latvia and other surrounding countries.
Reduction of VAT
THE FacuaConsumers in Action association has denounced seven large Spanish supermarket chains for not passing on the VAT reduction to all affected foods.
The complaint was made to the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC) after the Spanish government lowered or removed VAT on essential foods at the beginning of January.
After a review carried out between December 30 and January 3, Facua looked at changes in 676 prices in Alcampo, Aldi, Carrefour, Dia, Eroski, Lidl, Hipercor and Mercadona.
Of all the companies analysed, Mercadona was
MOVISTAR and Vodafone customers in Spain face increased rates this month. Telefonica will raise Movistar’s rates from Friday, January 13 while Vodafone’s new rates will come into force on Sunday, January 22.
As announced to customers by the multinational, Movistar will put its prices up by an average of 6.8 per cent. The company also pointed out that this increase is lower than 2022’s average CPI of 8.4 per cent.
Telefonica explained that this new price rise is not due to inflation but is a result of an in
the only chain without any anomalies in how they had implemnted the VAT reduction. The consumer association found the supermarkets with the most price issues were Dia and Carrefour.
Since January 1 and for the next six monthsthe Spanish government has decreed that 0 per cent VAT will be applied to bread, bread flour, milk, cheese, eggs, fruit, vegetables, pulses, potatoes and cereals. For oils and pasta, on the other hand, the tax rate has been reduced from 10 per cent to 5 per cent.
This analysis is the first of the price monitoring campaign that Facua has launched and will continue to carry out in the coming months.
Phone increases
crease in costs in the telecommunications sector.
Vodafone announced at the end of last year that from 2023 it would update its packages according to the averaged annual CPI. This will mean approximately an extra €2.50 on average for mobileonly plans, and €5.50 on average for its convergent plans. The company has justified the price rises by point
ing out that it is the first increase in 18 months.
It is being done with the aim of curbing the impact of inflation on costs, energy, and suppliers the company insisted. The increases will also enable the operator to cope with the pace of investment in the infrastructure of its innovative network and services.
According to a recent analysis by the price comparator Kelisto.es, Telefonica and Vodafone could generate up to €486 million in additional revenue with these new charges.
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MILITARY PRESENCE: The Royal Family greeted Armed Forces in the annual Epiphany parade held in the capital last Friday.
Photo credit: Familia Real Española (Via Facebook)
Mega star spotted
HOLLYWOOD A lister Morgan Freeman surprised locals when he was spotted dining at Mallorca restaurant Sandro on Sunday, January 8.
Freeman said: “It’s the best Bolognese I’ve ever eaten in my life,” according to the Italian restaurant’s owner Sandro Putignano.
The restaurateur told one publication: “Until they turned up I didn’t know it was going to be him. At first we were a little doubtful and we were looking for photos of him on the internet, until we were sure.
“They arrived early in the service, around 7.15pm, and left around 10pm. They were a group of five people and they were having dinner quietly, like any other client.”
The actor later posed for photos with the Sandro, which the business owner later posted to Instagram saying: “We still can’t believe it. Morgan Freeman at home, we couldn’t be more excited. We will never forget this moment, thank you!”
MORGAN FREEMAN: Was spotted in Mallorca.
Tragic ending
HAYATE , a young mother of four children, was murdered around midnight on Sunday, January 8, allegedly by her ex partner who is already in custody.
The mayor of Adeje, Jose Miguel Rodriguez Fraga, and Adeje residents held a minute’s silence at midday on Monday, January 9, to express their unanimous repulsion against this kind of violence and as a mark of respect for Hayate’s family and friends.
The Adeje Town Council declared official mourning in the municipality for the murder of Hayate, suspending all leisure activities and flying the flags at halfmast on Tuesday, January 10.
The mayor said: “I want to strongly express our rejection of any type of violence, especially gender violence, which we are experiencing this week. From Adeje, we want to express the repulsion and pain of the whole town. We would like to send our support for the family, as well as give thanks to the intervention of the neighbour who made it possible to arrest the aggressor.”
Sustainable supermarket
THE Spanish supermarket giant, Mercadona has become the first in the sector to carry out mass testing of a new sustainable scheme using
electricpowered haulage. The supermarket announced it was aiming to transition to electric power on Monday, January 9.
Grumpy but loved
READERS of the Euro Weekly News will be delighted to know that one of the paper’s best loved columnists, Grumpy Old Man Mike Senker, is set to be back in the writing saddle once again following a break while he moves house.
The popular writer, whose musings on everything from modern customer service to cancel culture have entertained readers over more than 300 columns, is expecting to complete his move later this month and begin contributing to the EWN again.
Explaining that he is busy with multiple projects these days, while Mike will not be returning with a column every week, he will be entertaining readers with his sharp insights into life on the Costas again in the following weeks.
Mike said: “I want to thank readers for their very kind wishes and I look forward to being back on the Euro Weekly’s pages very soon!.”
The company has made no secret of its commitment to the environment and its goal to adapt to global climate goals by reforming its haulage scheme, including by acquiring its first two all electric trucks at the end of 2022.
In recent months, the company has conducted several pilot schemes with logistics companies Disfrimur and Acotral to assess the efficiency of electric haulage.
The scheme aimed to assess the practicality of using 100 per cent electric lorries given the limited charging infrastructure in the country and the time constraints of charging vehicles up. Project coordinators devised the most effective routes in two project areas, Madrid and Murcia, and were able to efficiently supply and stock six supermarkets.
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Credit: Instagram/Sandro Restaurante
Harry’s racism defence
IN his muchpublicised ITV interview on Sunday, January 8, Prince Harry defended the alleged racist comments made by Lady Susan Hussey towards Ngozi Fulani which saw the former ladyinwaiting resign her role. Referring to the incident that occurred while both women were at Buckingham Palace attending a charity event. While en
Futuristic Coronation
THE Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Saturday, May 6 and in line with His Majesty’s wish for the event to be rooted in tradition but reflective of today, a Coronation Claims Office has been created within the Cabinet Office to consider claims to perform a historic or ceremonial role. This replaces the Court of Claims, which fulfilled a similar role for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953. When looking at claims, the Coronation Claims Office will consider matters including whether the role or service was performed in 1953 or not, what the basis is for it to be performed now and the claimant’s connection to those who previously performed the role or service.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said: “His Majesty The King’s Coronation will be a momentous occasion in the history of our country. The new Coronation Claims Office will ensure we fulfil The King’s wish that the ceremony is rooted in tradition and pageantry but also embraces the future.”
gaged in conversation, Lady Susan asked Ms Fulani where she ‘really came from’. The Duke of Sussex said he thought the subsequent reaction by the press was ‘horrendous’.
“All we’ve ever asked for in the past certainly the last few years is some accountability. And I’m very happy for Ngozi Fulani to be invited into the palace to sit down with Lady Susan Hussey and to reconcile because Meghan and I love Susan Hussey. Meghan thinks she’s great,” he told Bradby.
“And I also know that what she meant she never meant any harm at all. But the response from the British press, and from people online because of the stories that they wrote was horrendous,” he added.
In his interview, Harry also accused Camilla of playing “a long game” to become queen and that members of his family regularly colluded with the British press.
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Credit: Alan Fraser Images/Shutterstock.com
Prince Harry interviewed.
Upstairs Downstairs
THE prolific novelist, author and playwright Fay Weldon whose works include the popular ITV drama series ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ died on Wednesday, January 4 according to a family statement.
According to the family she had been admitted to hospital with a broken bone in her back, but had suffered a stroke prior to her passing.
Born in Britain but raised in New Zealand, Weldon went on to write more than 30 novels as well as short stories and plays for radio, television and stage. She is perhaps best known for ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ and her adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for the BBC. But she was also a prolific novelist writing children’s books, nonfiction books and newspaper articles.
Among her bestsellers was her 1978 novel Praxis which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Fiction. She later went on to chair the judges’ panel for the prestigious award in 1983.
The death of the prolific novelist has resulted in many fans and colleagues taking to social media to express their sorrow at her loss, perhaps best summed up in the words of Jenny Colgan “She was formidable, fierce and wonderful.”
New royal traditions
THE Sovereign’s birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour (King’s Birthday Parade) which this year will be the first one to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
This impressive display of pageantry will involve the Regiments of the Household Division, on Horse Guards Parade, with His Majesty The King attending and taking the salute.
His Majesty King Charles III will hold the appointment
of Colonel in Chief of the Regiments of Household Division. Each Regiment has a Colonel who is normally either a member of the Royal Family or a senior officer.
The Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years.
This year will mark His Majesty King Charles III’s first Trooping of the Colour
as Sovereign. Over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together each June in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark The King’s official birthday. The parade moves from Buckingham Palace and down The Mall to Horse Guard’s Parade, alongside Members of the Royal Family on horseback and in carriages.
Hotel hospitals
UNDER pressure NHS hospitals in the southwest of England have resorted to using hotels as they work to free up beds for patients needing hospitalisation.
With the problem of bed blocking still to be resolved, NHS Trusts in Plymouth and Bristol are moving medically fit patients waiting for care packages to be put in place to enable them to return home, into local hotels.
According to a report on Friday, January 6, hotels have been using city centres hotels in Plymouth, Bristol and Devon
as far back as October 2022.
A spokesperson for NHS Devon said: “Care hotels are just one of many positive measures health and care partners have put in place to reduce pressure on busy health services this winter.
“They are not used for hospital patients and are used to provide social care for people who are medically fit and do not require hospital care, but do need additional living support after a stay in hospital or to prevent them from needing to be admitted.”
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com NEWS 14
FAY WELDON: Formidable and wonderful.
Image Instagram Georgina Capel
Coronation Street actor passes at 82
THE Coronation Street and Love Actually actor, Wyllie Longmore, has died at the age of 82 after a cancer battle.
The news was announced by his daughter on Friday, January 6 saying that he had passed away peacefully on Wednesday.
She said: “I want to share the news that my father, Wyllie Longmore passed away yesterday evening. He had been living with cancer but passed away peacefully with my mum by his side. Wyllie was a much loved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle and will be very sadly missed.”
Longmore was best known for his role as Dr McKinnon in the longrunning soap Coronation Street, but had also worked alongside Hugh Grant in Love Actually where he played the role of the prime minister’s associate. He had also enjoyed roles in The Bill, Between the Lines, Casualty, Merseybeat, Waking the Dead and Cold Feet.
Born in Jamaica, Longmore moved to the UK in 1961 quickly making a name for himself in theatrical circles before going on to secure roles on national TV.
‘Grown-up’ talks
On Friday, January 6 the leader called the urgent meeting in the hope that he can engineer a breakthrough in discussions.
The full details of the proposed talks have yet to be made clear but it is understood that he has not ruled out discussions around pay. It is also not clear whether he intends to put offers on the table or whether he intends to make unions aware of government red lines, bearing in mind his declaration to bring inflation and government borrowing down.
Pressed on the issues that would be discussed and whether pay was one of these he said: “What we have said is we want to have a grownup, honest conversation with all union leaders about what is responsible, what is reasonable, and what is affordable for our country when it comes to pay.
“I’m hopeful that those talks can be constructive.”
There’s still a chance
SPEAKING exclusively on Sunday evening, January 8, with ITV’s Tom Bradby, Prince Harry told him he believed there was still a chance of reconciliation with the Royal Family. Despite this, he claimed the ‘institution’ had ‘shown no willingness to reconcile’.
The interview was designed as a precursor to the release of Harry’s autobiography ‘SPARE’, due to be released on Tuesday January 17.
Bradby suggested that by publishing a book which lifted the lid on a lot of topics that should have stayed private, Harry had probably ruined any chance of making peace with the royal family.
The Duke also chose to broach the subject of Kate and Meghan’s relationship, pointing out that from day one, they never got along.
Talking about where Meghan was accused of making Kate cry. It was actually the other way around said Harry. Kate was the one who made Meghan cry he claimed and said Kate appeared the next day carrying flowers to apologise to Meghan.
Questioned about Camilla, Harry insisted: “There’s no part of any of the things that I’ve said that are scathing towards any member of my family, especially not my stepmother.”
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com NEWS 16
WYLLIE LONGMORE: Was Dr McKinnon in Coronation Street.
Image Twitter GHLinks
RISHI SUNAK is making a bid to end the strikes that have hamstrung the country, inviting all union leaders to “grown up, honest” talks.
UK space launch aborted
THE historic Virgin Orbit space flight to release satellites from the LauncherOne rocket on board Sir Richard Branson’s ‘Cosmic Girl’ jet has been aborted midflight.
A tweet from Virgin Orbit
read: “We appear to have an anomaly that has prevented us from reaching orbit. We are evaluating the information.”
Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit company made history on Monday, Jan
uary, as ‘Cosmic Girl’ blasted off from Cornwall Airport Newquay. Just after 10pm, the modified Boeing 747 jet became the first orbital space launch to take place in western Europe, and more specifically, from British soil.
Technical and regulatory issues caused the original launch before Christmas to be delayed, but on Monday the former Virgin Atlantic jet finally took off into space from Spaceport Cornwall, carrying the Launcher One rocket.
The historic event marks a new era of space exploration for the UK.
Around 35,000ft (10,700 metres) above the Atlantic, travelling at a speed of about 8,000mph, ‘Cosmic Girl’ was to release the 21metre rocket. LauncherOne contained nine small satellites that were to be sent into orbit.
Previously, satellites had to be sent to foreign locations to be launched.
Ban on single-use plastic
UK Environment Secretary
Therese Coffey confirmed on Monday, January 9, that the use of single-use items is to be banned in England. These include polystyrene trays, plates, and plastic cutlery mainly used for takeaway food and drink.
A specific starting date was not given, but similar moves have already been announced in Scotland and
Plastic single-use items.
Wales. Items found in supermarkets or shops will not come under this initiative.
“I am determined to drive
Drivers strike to go ahead
A STRIKE by ambulance drivers and other NHS auxiliary workers will go ahead after talks with the health minister broke down.
Union leaders and the Secretary of Health Steve Barclay met on Monday, January 9 in an effort to try and avert a strike. The breakdown comes as a shock after reports that the government was softening its stance and was considering a deal, however, today the minister only wanted to talk about productivity.
Onay Kasab, Unite’s National Lead told a local news outlet that the government “only wanted to talk about productivity.” He added that as there was no detailed discussion on a pay settlement, the strike on January 23 would go ahead.
It is understood that there was no cash offer and no concrete offer for the next financial year, which starts in April. As a result, the meeting with the minister broke down, which means that the ambulance drivers’ strike will go ahead.
forward action to tackle this issue head-on. We’ve already taken major steps in recent years - but we know there is more to do, and we have again listened to the public’s calls,” said Ms Coffey.
In excess of four billion single pieces of plastic cutlery are used and discarded in England annually according to government data. Another 1.1 billion single-use plastic plates are also used. When dumped in landfills, this plastic waste can take many years to decompose.
Wales approved plasticuse laws that will come into force in late 2023. Businesses in Scotland have been banned from using singleuse plastic goods since June 2022.
Credit: Sarah2/Shutterstock.com
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com NEWS 18
No more gas Blame the sick
THE UK’s Health Select Committee Chair, Steve Brine, lays the blame for the state of the NHS on ‘sick’ England.
According to a report by a national news outlet on Wednesday, January 4, Brine argued that the NHS
A never event?
AN increasing number of foreign objects have been found inside patients after surgery in the UK.
According to recent figures revealed by the National Health Service (NHS), this is being described as a ‘never event’, after cotton swabs, blades, drill bits, wire cutters, and others items have been left inside patients over 291 times in England.
Objects were found in all different age groups of patients, from babies to people over 90.
Such a huge number of patients with foreign objects postsurgery is the highest recorded in the UK in over 20 years.
As per the NHS, leaving an object inside a patient after surgery is classified as a ‘never event’. This means that, such an incident is so serious, it should never have happened.
NHS also issued a statement on this issue after its spokesperson said, “Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, incidents like these are rare, however, when they do happen, the NHS is committed to learning from them to improve care for future patients.”
has never had more money and that it did not need more cash saying that the “ill health of the nation” was the problem.
He added that along with exhausted staff following the twin demic of Covid 19 and flu, structural issues were also to blame for record waiting lists and cancelled operations.
Brine admitted that the NHS is in crisis but did not think money, facilities or staffing were the issue. He said demand for care is “phenomenal” and “through the roof” adding that it’s more the fact that the NHS just “can’t keep up.”
Not everyone is in full agreement with the Health Select Committee chair’s assessment, with many in the sector having criticised the government for not taking ownership of the health sector’s shortcomings.
AS announced on the official Twitter account of the British Foreign Office, as of the beginning of the year, the United Kingdom has stopped importing Russian liquified natural gas (LNG).
The department emphasised that this action is being taken as a direct result of said gas supplies allowing Russia to finance its
ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
On October 28, the British Foreign Office announced plans to stop LNG supplies from Russia. The decision was made in order to reduce dependence on Russian fuel. According to the research company ICIS, as of December 2022, the EU and the UK had
AFTER the UK government’s latest advisory to wear masks, scientists have raised concerns about the new Covid variant XBB.1.5, which has already been reported in over 4 per cent of cases in the country. The new variant, which has already been rapidly spreading across the United States, threatens to cause a fresh wave of cases.
XBB.1.5 was already responsible for a massive surge in cases in the UK last winter, which resulted in thousands of people losing their lives.
Several offshoots of the Omicron variant have dominated the number of Covid infections globally ever since XBB.1.5 evolved from the XBB variant.
purchased almost 21 per cent more Russian LNG than in 2021.
According to the UK Office for National Statistics, in 2022 the United States became the largest source of LNG supplies to Britain.
In 2023, it is planned to replace Russian LNG with supplies from Qatar and Azerbaijan.
On the rise
Meanwhile, scientists in the UK said there is still uncertainty around the XBB.1.5. variant as only a fraction of Covid samples have been analysed.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 19 NEWS euroweeklynews.com
Shutterstock.com/
Tea and Biscuit Photos
The “ill health of the nation” is the problem.
Shutterstock.com/ angellodeco
New Omicron variant XBB.1.5 raises concerns of rise in Covid-19 cases in UK.
Step forward
THE US Treasury Department exposed a major Islamic State (ISIS) network that had been operating in Turkey since 2016.
This individual had allegedly been actively recruiting members to the terror organisation and distributing funds. Steps have subsequently been taken to freeze the assets of the network’s members by Turkish officials.
A statement from the US Treasury Department read: “Today, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated critical nodes of a key financial facilitation network of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).”
It continued: “This included four individuals and two entities in Turkey, who have enabled the terrorist group’s recruitment and financial transfers to and from Iraq and Syria.
“This network played a key role in money management, transfer, and distribution for ISIS in the region.” Brukan alKhatuni, an Iraqi national, was named as the head of the network.
THE number of bank robberies in Denmark fell to zero last year, as beefedup security and reduced use of cash in the Nordic country make holdups a lot less lucrative than they used to be.
Since the year 2000 when 221 bank robberies took place, bank heists have been steadily declining. According to data from Finance Denmark, an industry group for lenders, in the year 2021, Denmark had just one bank robbery.
Bank robberies are on the decline in other countries too, as the move away from cash to digital banking gives rise
to cybercrime, such as hacks and phishing scams, which target bank details and other personal information.
Online banking fraud is increasing in Denmark, confirmed Michael BuskJepsen, Finance Denmark’s director of digitisation. “In the olden days, the robbers went to the banks, now they go to the customers instead.”
BuskJepsen added: “It is very nice to see this statistic, especially because of the people working in the banks, and that they’re not being exposed to that anymore.”
DATA has showed that a total of 20 EU countries increased their imports from Russia in 2022 despite the sanctions placed on Moscow.
This was according to figures available between February and August of last year. According to reports, the volume in general of European imports from Russia, fell from more than 20 million tons in January 2022 to 13 registered in October. The value did the same, going from €22 billion a month
to €12.8 billion in October.
Robbery-free Increased imports
This shift is not seen so clearly though if it is broken down by Member States as 20 EU countries have increased imports to a greater or lesser extent. Spain increased its imports by 51 per cent, with a value of €4.7 billion in the aforementioned period.
At the top of the scale though, Slovenia saw its imports rise by 346 per cent, Luxembourg by 262 per cent, and Austria by 139 per cent.
THE Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland has told hospitals to begin working seven days a week with immediate effect in an effort to relieve pressure on emergency units.
The move is to ensure that patients are discharged from hospitals over the weekend at the same rate as they are during the week.
It is believed that the sevenday working week will affect all staff including consultants and diagnostic services. Un
7 day week
precedented overcrowding is said to be causing delays of up to 24 hours in emergency departments, with some 67,000 patients having had to wait a day for admission in 2022.
HSE Interim Chief Executive Officer Stephen Mulvany said onsite presence by senior clinical decisionmakers is planned for the rest of this month, with support staff being asked to make themselves available for the same period.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com NEWS 20
ON THE DECLINE: Bank robberies are falling, while banking fraud is increasing.
Peter McLarenKennedy
Nomad_Soul / Shutterstock.com
Image:
Medieval Market
THE Orihuela Medieval Market is set to return in style after a twoyear break due to the pandemic
The historic centre becomes the ideal setting to recreate the Middle Ages by holding the Medieval Market. A much awaited event, where joy and fun are guaranteed with recreational activities for all ages: music, dances, puppets, theatrical entertainment, and workshops on
ancient crafts. Shows will transport the visitor to the past with a special atmosphere, where the smell of spices, the colour of the handmade products and the taste of the food cooked in the different stalls are not lacking. A festival for the senses!
The councillor for Festivities at Orihuela Town Hall, Antonio Sanchez, announced on Radio Orihuela that the next edition of this
market, will be held on February 3, 4 and 5 (subject to change) and will extend its route to the Plaza de Santiago.
This is the return of this section which years ago formed part of the route of the medieval souk which starts at the Puerta de la Olma and runs through the whole of the old quarter, this year going a little further into the Rabaloche neighbourhood.
Digital gaming
ALICANTE Digital Gaming makes the city the centre of eSports and videogames in the country.
GGTech Entertainment, together with Esatur Servicios has created a complete gaming and eSports programme full of activities for all video game fans, who will be able to
enjoy multiple leisure and entertainment areas.
Until January 15, visitors will be able to enjoy different gaming arenas and other gaming spaces where more than 60 eSports tournaments with multiple prizes will be organised, including the final of the Virtual Regatta World Cup. There will al
Language exchange
ARE you struggling to learn the lingo? Do you need to practise your Spanish?
The best way to learn is to practise with native speakers who in turn can practise their English with you.
With free entry there is no excuse not to join the international community for a Language Exchange, Intercambio de Idiomas, on Tuesday evenings at 7.00pm at the Robin’s Irish Pub on Calle Virgen del Socorro, 66, 03002 in Alicante.
For more information pop in to the bar or call (+34) 632 777 678.
so be free play areas, experiences based on virtual reality (VR), and a themed escape room that will mix virtual and facetoface elements.
The activities are designed for all ages of the general public and are completely free of charge. The event is happening on Pier 14 of the Ocean Live Park (formerly the Race Village) in the Muelle de Levante area of Alicante.
In addition, there will be show matches with some of the most important content creators such as Suja, Nakoo, Andaluchino and DJames, among others.
For more information head to the website: theoceanracenewport.co m/oceanlivepark
Caravanning and Leisure
WITH more to offer than you can imagine, discover the exciting world of caravanning at the Provincial Caravanning and Leisure Time Exhibition. The exhibition is being held over two weekends at IFA, N340, km 731 03320 Elche (Alicante) from February 10 to 12 and 17 to 19.
Visit the 30th edition of the most important caravanning trade fair in the Mediterranean and the second most important in Spain.
Attending the exhibition will be the main brands in the market, displayed in an area of 13,564 m2 for the caravanning sector attendees, as well as a wide variety of choice and offers on secondhand vehicles. You will also have at your disposal a large accessory store to tune up your caravan or motorhome.
Don’t forget to visit the more recreational area of the exhibition: campsites, tourist offices and holiday offers, leisure activities,
stands with a variety of articles and the presence of food trucks, which offer a varied gastronomic offer.
Camping Caravanning, a lifestyle in contact with nature.
For more information or to buy tickets head to the website: /www.caravaningalicante.es/.
Torrevieja’s marathon
ENJOY the 35th edition of the Half Marathon in Torrevieja on February 26.
Registrations to participate in this historic test of athletics in Torrevieja are now open, through the website: mediomaratontor revieja.es. The price is €15 for the half marathon and
€10 for the five kilometre run. The registration period will remain open until February 23.
The circuit of the race is approved and is part of the national calendar of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation. Throughout the course there will be a large
deployment with medical assistance to attend to any incident and a field hospital will be set up at the finish line. In addition to the Local Police and Civil Protection, around 200 volunteers, are expected to be present along the entire route of the race.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com SOCIAL SCENE 22
Historic centre.
Image: Orihueal City Council / Tourism
Image: IFA Alicante
The exciting world of caravanning.
Double standards
CHAIRMAN of Russia’s State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, has issued a threat to the German leadership and reminded them to take a look at their own country’s history when it comes to war.
Taking to social media on Thursday, January 5, Volodin said: “The German leadership should remember from their own coun
try’s history how attempts to encroach on someone else’s property ended.”
He was speaking about the proposed decision from the German government to “seize Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine.”
He added: “As soon as such a decision is made, we have the right to take similar actions in relation to the assets of Germany and oth
er states.”
The State Duma official added that “recently, former German Chancellor Merkel admitted how she and former French President Hollande deceived the international community.
“By signing the Minsk agreements, they had no intention of abiding by them, but merely used them to militarise the Kyiv regime.”
Record exports
ON Monday, January 2, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the country had achieved a record high in exports during 2022. Yearonyear growth of 12.9 per cent had been registered he detailed, with a total of US$254.2 billion (€241.61 billion) in exports.
Speaking in the city of Istanbul while addressing the Turkey Exporters Assembly, Erdogan said: “Our goal now is to make Turkey one of the top 10 exporting countries.” He highlighted that 20 years ago when the Jus
tice and Development Party first came to power, exports stood at only US$36 billion (€34.22 billion).
In the space of 12 months, he added, the number of Turkish firms exporting had increased to more than 111,000 from 33,523 in 2021. Similarly, 24 cities were now involved in the export business as opposed to just five one year ago.
With national elections scheduled for the middle of June, Erdogan is under increased economic pressure.
Temperatures soar
TEMPERATURES across Europe soared higher in January than ever recorded in most countries, as scientists say human-caused climate change made it more likely to happen
As metrological departments across the UK, Ireland, France, and Spain had already declared 2022 as the hottest on record, countries across Europe
Shutterstock.com/ VladisChern
Impose own restrictions
A SPOKESPERSON for the EU said that with Covid-19 data from China unreliable, member states should seek to impose their own travel restrictions, however, they would not be imposing a bloc-wide requirement at this stage.
The advice comes as France announces that one in three passengers arriving from China is positive, although they say they have not yet detected any variants that are not already present in Europe.
Similar results are being noted in Italy where a testing regime has been in place for some time. No data is as yet available from the UK, who has chosen to undertake random testing only from Thursday January 5.
Critics were quick to note that the pandemic emanated in China and that simply recording the status of travellers who test positive is not sufficient to safeguard against further mutations.
are now recording the highest temperatures ever in January.
Poland, Hungary, and Switzerland which would normally have average temperatures in single digits, recorded as high as 19 degrees Celsius, in the first few days of 2023.
In France, New Year’s Eve recorded the warmest temperature, since the records began, with the mercury climbing to nearly 25 degrees Celsius, at night.
Temperatures in Spain hit 25.1 degrees Celsius, as per the records at Bilbao airport in the Basque Country.
Meanwhile, weather stations in Germany, recorded over 20 degrees Celsius, the highest temperatures since the records began in 1881.
Scientists who are analysing the temperature data are still trying to confirm the specific ways in which climate change is affecting rising temperatures.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 23 NEWS euroweeklynews.com
Climate change affecting rising temperatures.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Holocaust survivor Bea Franklin serves as real-life witness to history
Bea Franklin really is an incredible lady. At 98 years of age, 99 in June, when most people her age would be taking it easy, Bea never stops! She sat down with the Euro Weekly News to discuss her fascinating life.
Bea’s marriage to Corporal Jerry Franklin exposed her to some of the most historic moments of the Second World War. “Jerry was a US Army photographer,” Bea explained. “He was there for invasions all throughout Europe and Africa and, most notably, took graphic photos at The Liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp.
“My husband was a very positive person, he never spoke about the holocaust, the photographs spoke for him. He just wanted to focus on the positives of life.”
Bea added: “One of his most iconic photos of him
that we have in his photo album is one of thenpresident Franklin Roosevelt with future president Dwight Eisenhower. The pair are sitting in a jeep with General Patton at Castelvetrano Airport in Sicily, Italy, after the conferences at Tehran and Cairo on December 8 in 1943.”
Bea explained how her husband often crossed paths with some of Hollywood’s legendary film stars. “When film stars visited the frontlines Jerry took some great photos including Humphrey Bogart, Mickey Rooney, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Joe E Lewis, who became famous from his role in Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe.
“Even though Jerry took the photos, they don’t belong to him,” Bea confirmed. “As he was working for the US Army and they own the photos, we cannot
use them without their permission.
“Jerry has got copies of all the pictures he took and put them in albums, but this was back when you had to develop the photos yourself,” she quipped.
Bea was even present for the iconic ‘Kiss’ of the unknown sailor in New York’s Time Square just eight days after the two atomic bombs exploded in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Japan) at the end of the Second World War. “I was at university in New York when we heard the war in Europe was over” she said. “Everyone knew that Time Square would be the place to celebrate, people flooded the subway.
“We arrived in New York and witnessed the sailor kissing the nurse.”
When asked about her secret to longevity, 98yearold Bea simply responded, “positive thinking!”
HOLOCAUST survivor
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 25 FEATURE euroweeklynews.com
BEA FRANKLIN: Spoke about her fascinating life.
Credit: Bea Franklin
PRESS EUROPEAN
DENMARK
Danish discovery
SCIENTISTS have uncovered the remains of a huge building that likely dates to the era of Denmark’s first king. Archaeologists at the Historical Museum of Northern Jutland report they’ve discovered an ancient Viking hall, the biggest one found in more than a decade.
THE NETHERLANDS
Doubled Dutch
THE overall population in the Netherlands grew twice as fast last year compared to 2021. While the number of deaths has risen in the Netherlands, immigration remains a key factor for the sharp increase. Towns Eindhoven and Almere made it to the top in population growth.
BELGIUM
Belgium
boost
ACCORDING to figures published by analysis firm NapoleonCat on January 6. Social networks gained more Belgian users in 2022. After a slight drop in user numbers in 2021, Facebook and Instagram saw increases last year, while Messenger's user base remained stable.
GERMANY
Tour tax
A PROPOSED tax on German holidays sold by companies outside of the EU has been scrapped for at least one year. The tax law would have made holidays to Germany more expensive and would also have required nonEU tour operators to file tax returns in Germany.
FRANCE
Limited Louvre
THE Louvre Museum in France has announced that it will limit the number of daily visitors to the famed institution in order to create a more enjoyable experience. Museum staff have decided to cap daily admissions at 30,000 because of a surge of visitors.
NORWAY
Oil profits
NORWAY once again saw record oil and gas profits in 2022. With energy prices soaring last year, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent scarcity of oil and gas in Europe, Norway recorded significant profits throughout the year.
FINLAND
Bee bacteria
THE US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the world's first vaccine for honey bees. Developed in Finland, the vaccine works against a bacterial condition known as American foul-brood disease that attacks bee larvae. The vaccine introduces inactive bacteria into the royal jelly fed to the queen.
IRELAND
Growing Ireland
A REPORT by the US Census Bureau has predicted that Ireland will experience the second-highest rate of population growth in Europe. Ireland's population will rise by 33 per cent above six million by 2050, according to the study.
ITALY
Fake serum
ITALIAN tennis star Camila Giorgi is under investigation for allegedly using fake Covid vaccination papers to enter Australia in 2022. Giorgi's family doctor was arrested in February and charged with administering hundreds of fake serums and paperwork to high-profile Italians.
PORTUGAL
Cheese Festival
THE Serra da Estrela de Oliveira do Hospital Cheese Festival which is considered to be ‘the biggest Cheese Festival in Portugal’, will take place on March 11 and 12, in the heart of the city in the district of Coimbra.
UKRAINE
Bye to Banksy
INVESTIGATIVE actions are ongoing against a group of people who dismantled a graffiti by UK artist Banksy ‘Woman in a Gas Mask’ in Hostomel, Kyiv. The police estimated the value of the graffiti to be UAH 9M (€229,489). The alleged organiser of the crime has been charged.
SWEDEN
Swedish getaway
DESPITE a weak start to the year due to the Omicron variant and other global concerns, Sweden’s airports welcomed nearly 28 million passengers in 2022 which is a 130 per cent increase on the 12 million that passed through the country’s gateways in 2021.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com EUROPEAN PRESS 26
MARKET UPDATE
REBECCA SERWOTKA “We sell houses! It’s what we do, it’s ALL we do!” Your favourite local resale property expert, of Inmobiliaria Real Estate Agents in Ciudad Quesada. Published author of ‘Moving Forward 25 Essential Rules For Buying & Selling Real Estate Without Going Crazy’. Request your FREE copy! Featured on Best Buy Spain. Prestige Award Winner for ‘Real Estate Agency Of The Year 2021/22 & 2022/23’.
Looking back at the final quarter of 2022.
October 2022 was the highlight of the year as property sales were at their highest since 2007, according to National Statistics 3,662 home sales in the Alicante Province were resales and 523 were new builds.
The average home sales price during the fourth quarter of 2022 slumped to €146,750. This was more than a 25 per cent decrease compared to the third quarter of 2022. It’s not all bad news! Figures show it was still higher than the last quarters of 2021 and 2020!
As we push forward into 2023, we are expecting new build prices to increase. This is mainly because of the inflation in building material costs.
We have experienced continued interest in our niche market… ‘the resales’, so will continue to keep you updated on prices and demand.
Selling in the Ciudad Quesada or surrounding urbanisations? We have buyers! Contact me today on 966 718 392.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 27 FEATURE euroweeklynews.com
Advertising Feature
Ready to buy? Download ‘The ultimate property buying guide for 2023’: www.BuyMyHomeInSpain.com See our advert in the centre pages of this newspaper! www.homes4u.es
LOCAL PROPERTY
FINANCE
BUSINESS EXTRA
Dubai’s trillions
DUBAI has set out its 32 trillion dirham (€8.2 trillion) economic plan and aims to double the size of its economy in the next decade to become one of the ‘top three economic cities around the world,’ Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, tweeted.
Economic sentiment
EUROPEAN COMMISSION data on January 6 showed eurozone economic sentiment has improved for the first time since the start of the Ukraine war. The Commission’s monthly economic sentiment index rose to 95.8 in December from 94.0 in November, the first upward movement after a slide from a record high of 114.0 scaled in February.
Renewable energy
THE European Investment Bank (EIB) and Iberdrola have signed a new agreement to accelerate Spain’s energy transition by developing new renewable energy capacity. The EU bank will provide a €550m green loan for the construction of a portfolio of projects with a total capacity of around 1 800 megawatts (MW).
Euro-flation
A BIT of good news is that Europe ended a bad year for inflation with some relief as price gains eased again. While the cost of living is still painfully high, the slowdown is a sign that the worst might be over for weary consumers.
Ethical investments
TO invest ethically, look for funds with high Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, which will not invest your money in harmful sectors. ESG look at the conservation of the natural world and social factors and examine how a company treats people both inside and outside the company.
STAT OF WEEK
Future of payments
PAYTECHS are disrupting the future of payments. The time is ripe for banks to rethink strategies for participating in this complex but opportunisticecosystem, or risk being left behind.
Ernst & Young’s (EY) recent report The Rise of PayTech seven forces shaping the future of payments assesses the level of innovation enabled by PayTechs across the most dynamic areas impacting the sector. These include areas such as open banking, realtime payments, crossborder payments, buy now, pay later (BNPL), digital wallets and super apps, embedded payments and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and digital currencies.
Digital currencies are gaining momentum, rising to the top of the agenda for payments providers seeking regulated alternatives as first industry solutions emerge. The ultimate benefits of digital currencies lie in the instant and atomic settlement,
increased automation, transparency, and efficiency.
Open banking has allowed consumers to be firmly in control of their data, identity, and payments. The practice of securely sharing financial data by connecting merchants and customers directly has created compelling ‘open payments’ or ‘pay by bank’ options.
Elsewhere, digital wallets and super apps are helping to reduce payment transaction fees whilst offering
a single destination for consumers to manage their finances. By leveraging data, they have the potential to fulfil almost any financial, leisure or lifestyle need.
For banks, the shift in payments is both a threat and an opportunity. Banks must continue to embrace digitalisation and transform their current payment models and, by leveraging these forces, they can deliver better, far more efficient and frictionless experiences for their customers.
Climate finance
ACCORDING to the World Economic Forum (WEF), “the climate and biodiversity crises loom large but sadly, so does the gap in global finance. Estimates for the cost of emerging market countries’ adaptation to climate change range from $140 300B per year by 2030. Not to mention the costs of energy transition and mitigation efforts and the rest of a country’s development agenda.”
So where will this money come from? The WEF say “access to grants and lowcost concessional finance is limited. With rising interest rates in advanced economies and the subsequent ‘risk off’ environment in the international capital markets, emerging market countries that previously had
market access have mainly lost it. Debt burdenswhich include official debt service payments postponed throughout the pandemic are increasingly difficult to refinance and sovereign debt restructuring practices are cumbersome and timeconsuming.”
The WEF confirm that: “To solve these two financial challenges climate finance and
sovereign debt we need to find creative, scalable solutions. Failure to do so quickly will create a downward spiral where debt crises undermine the capacity of countries to adapt to climate change, making them less creditworthy and even less able to finance adaptation and mitigation.
“Many developing countries are eager to
consider climate and nature related key performance indicators (KPIs) as part of their debt issuance and debt workout operations. They see the environmental sustainability linkage as enhancing their attractiveness to capital markets, and they see the additional resources accelerating the implementation of agreed environmental goals.”
International borrowing
THE European Commission is empowered by the EU Treaties to borrow from the international capital markets on behalf of the European Union.
It is a well established name in debt securities markets, with a strong track record of successful bond issuances over the past 40 years. All EUBond issuances executed by the European Commission are denominated exclusively in euro.
The European Commission uses the proceeds of EUBond issuances to fund EU policy programmes. Landmark policy programmes currently funded by EUBonds include the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument of up to around €800 billion in current prices and the Commission’s MacroFinancial Assistance + programme for Ukraine.
EU borrowing is executed using multiple instruments, including EUBonds, EUBills, and NextGenerationEU Green Bonds.
Help for Scots
SOCIAL SECURITY of Scotland is now actively encouraging people to check they are not missing out on extra money from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The government confirmed that it is highly likely that more people could be eligible for certain benefits, some of which are only available in Scotland.
The benefits, which have been introduced over the past four years, are available to people on low incomes responsible for children under 16, those who need help paying for a funeral, people living with a disability, carers, young people entering the workplace and householders needing help to heat their homes.
euroweeklynews.com • 12 - 18 January 2023 30
Data from Bankrate found that 27 per cent of shoppers will go into debt for holiday or Christmas shopping.
FINANCE to read more FINANCE scan this QR Code
RECENT REPORT: Banks must continue to embrace digitalisation.
Image: NicoElNino/Shutterstock.com
CLIMATE CHANGE: Creative, scalable solutions are necessary across the world.
Image: MUNGKHOOD STUDIO/Shutterstock.com
3I Group 1.390,50 1.391,50 1.371,00 237,97K
Abrdn 193,25 193,50 190,15 411,82K
Admiral Group 2.230,0 2.237,0 2.221,0 26,87K
Anglo American 3.552,0 3.585,0 3.528,0 193,99K
Antofagasta 1.695,50 1.702,50 1.677,50 159,86K
Ashtead Group 5.022,0 5.056,0 5.016,0 35,71K
Associated British Foods 1.765,5 1.774,0 1.762,0 37,58K
AstraZeneca 11.670,0 11.754,0 11.658,0 109,43K
Auto Trader Group Plc 542,60 544,80 539,40 156,85K
Aveva 3.220,0 3.222,0 3.219,0 42,54K
Aviva 459,30 459,70 456,00 279,31K
B&M European Value Retail SA450,60 454,60 448,00 255,27K
BAE Systems 840,40 857,80 839,60 592,52K
Barclays 173,84 174,08 171,88 1,71M
Barratt Developments 434,70 435,60 431,30 138,95K
Berkeley 4.117,0 4.118,0 4.080,5 2,01K
BHP Group Ltd 2.725,00 2.745,50 2.721,50 9,73K
BP 482,55 485,10 477,60 2,81M
British American Tobacco 3.315,5 3.341,5 3.308,3 13,26K
British Land Company 414,10 415,50 410,50 149,86K
BT Group 127,40 130,80 127,35 3,46M
Bunzl 2.906,0 2.927,0 2.904,0 34,87K
Burberry Group 2.216,0 2.221,0 2.198,0 84,25K
Carnival 662,6 671,8 658,4 46,39K
Centrica 92,54 93,12 91,28 720,43K
Coca Cola HBC AG 1.970,0 1.980,9 1.969,5 1,30K
Compass 1.906,50 1.915,50 1.905,00 125,19K
CRH 3.598,5 3.606,5 3.570,0 34,91K
Croda Intl 6.610,0 6.656,0 6.594,0 29,37K
DCC 4.305,0 4.326,5 4.289,2 2,03K
Diageo 3.617,0 3.655,5 3.617,0 183,42K
DS Smith 350,51 351,40 347,70 587,83K
EasyJet 378,30 381,00 373,50 297,30K
Experian 2.868,0 2.877,0 2.862,0 27,55K
Ferguson 11.470,0 11.530,0 11.390,0 78,22K
Flutter Entertainment 11.995,0 12.120,0 11.945,0 31,12K
Fresnillo 951,00 961,80 941,20 43,73K
Glencore 534,80 541,00 531,70 4,85M
GSK plc 1.414,80 1.432,40 1.412,80 68,09K
Halma 2.084,0 2.094,0 2.079,0 31,47K
Hargreaves Lansdown 876,00 877,00 860,80 106,58K
Hikma Pharma 1.681,50 1.690,00 1.674,00 6,74K
HSBC 565,80 566,80 562,40 2,36M
IAG 140,90 141,34 139,54 2,13M
Imperial Brands 2.071,00 2.080,00 2.052,00 255,23K
Informa 639,80 642,80 638,20 98,92K
InterContinental 5.110,0 5.138,0 5.106,0 35,46K
Intermediate Capital 1.217,50 1.221,00 1.203,50 22,87K
Intertek 4.232,0 4.266,0 4.224,0 14,08K
ITV 81,02 81,30 80,10 1,82M
J Sainsbury 244,54 246,20 242,69 109,01K
Johnson Matthey 2.196,0 2.204,0 2.178,0 25,13K
Land Securities 665,60 669,60 660,80 75,96K
Legal & General 262,15 262,70 259,10 520,60K
Lloyds Banking 48,52 48,54 47,99 35,53M
London Stock Exchange 7.236,0 7.290,0 7.200,0 48,45K
Melrose Industries 143,45 143,60 142,20 508,32K
Mondi 1.498,50 1.505,50 1.497,50 48,82K
National Grid 1.050,00 1.054,50 1.047,00 477,69K
NatWest Group 275,60 280,50 274,60 2,48M
Next 6.476,0 6.526,0 6.420,0 19,55K
Norilskiy Nikel ADR 9,10 9,10 9,10 0
Ocado 725,40 733,80 716,80 342,45K
Persimmon 1.336,5 1.338,5 1.325,0 46,27K
Phoenix 625,00 626,80 624,00 88,45K
Prudential 1.254,50 1.256,00 1.239,50 435,90K
Reckitt Benckiser 5.886,0 5.884,0 5.830,0 116,23K
Relx 2.334,00 2.352,00 2.330,00 160,35K
Rentokil 504,00 506,60 500,80 620,81K
Rightmove 547,40 548,80 540,80 107,61K
Rio Tinto PLC 6.063,0 6.125,0 6.046,0 207,06K
Rolls-Royce Holdings 101,82 103,08 100,98 4,22M
Sage 773,40 775,20 770,20 71,52K
Samsung Electronics DRC 1.216,50 1.220,00 1.210,50 3,98K
Schroders 449,3 450,1 444,4 175,22K
Scottish Mortgage 728,91 731,00 725,00 161,28K
Segro 794,20 796,40 787,60 118,67K
Severn Trent 2.772,0 2.796,0 2.772,0 10,06K
Shell 2.376,5 2.387,5 2.360,5 595,75K
Smith & Nephew 1.165,50 1.172,50 1.160,50 204,83K
Smiths Group 1.625,00 1.634,00 1.621,00 25,86K
Spirax-Sarco Engineering 10.970,0 10.985,0 10.865,0 7,01K
SSE 1.667,00 1.681,00 1.666,50 300,35K
St. James’s Place 1.156,00 1.159,50 1.147,50 0,83K
Standard Chartered 689,80 693,20 688,00 724,70K
Taylor Wimpey 109,30 109,60 108,00 884,90K
Tesco 242,70 244,20 240,40 920,05K
Tui 147,76 148,95 147,45 785,43K
Unilever 4.170,0 4.202,0 4.160,0 197,63K
United Utilities 1.039,50 1.046,00 1.039,50 40,32K
Vodafone Group PLC 87,77 88,80 87,52 6,10M
Whitbread 2.792,0 2.812,0 2.790,0 22,79K WPP 870,60 873,60 865,60 230,69K
3M 126,72 127,13 2,41M
American Express 150,17 150,43 145,48 2,90M
Amgen 275,20 276,82 269,03 2,89M
Apple 129,62 130,29 124,89 86,76M
Boeing 213,00 213,04 203,55 11,19M
Caterpillar 248,86 249,91 242,24 3,84M
Chevron 176,56 179,39 175,70 7,17M
Cisco 48,32 48,58 47,28 19,35M
Coca-Cola 63,40 63,67 62,58 9,97M
Dow 55,02 55,24 53,32 6,10M
Goldman Sachs 348,08 349,00 340,95 3,09M
Home Depot 317,53 318,85 309,00 4,01M
Honeywell 210,27 211,06 205,87 4,02M
IBM 143,70 144,25 141,58 3,53M
Intel 28,73 28,83 27,38 31,52M
J&J 180,25 180,93 179,39 5,64M
JPMorgan 137,94 138,38 134,49 9,94M
McDonald’s 269,47 269,89 263,39 2,85M
Merck&Co 114,84 115,49 114,05 8,58M
Microsoft 224,93 225,76 219,35 42,92M
Nike 124,53 125,36 121,77 9,32M
Procter&Gamble 153,92 154,46 151,75 7,88M
Salesforce Inc 140,51 141,65 135,55 9,00M
The Travelers 193,87 194,45 189,55 1,28M
UnitedHealth 490,00 492,87 487,54 4,81M
Verizon 42,19 42,58 41,88 25,87M
Visa A 217,75 218,14 213,09 6,83M
Walgreens Boots 36,61 36,74 35,11 10,00M
Walmart 146,78 147,55 144,24 7,07M
Walt Disney 93,92 94,69 91,32 9,78M
World
JinkoSolar
Roivant
Iridium Communications Inc. +12.81% 1.721M
Perseus Mining Limited +10.67% 35,153
Nel ASA +10.38% 16,796
R1 RCM Inc. +10.20% 9.972M Barclays PLC +10.01% 76,788
Most Declined
AMTD Digital Inc. -23.41% 21.064M
PT Bumi Resources Tbk -16.00% 64,775
XPeng Inc. -15.04% 41.107M
iQIYI, Inc. -14.87% 22.648M
Dave Inc. -13.53% 91,840
Dada Nexus Limited -9.70% 5.397M
Li Auto Inc. -9.16% 14.485M
Trinity Industries, Inc. -8.95% 971,367
NovoCure Limited -8.22% 3.002M
Baxter International Inc. -7.84% 11.099M
Waters Corporation -7.15% 1.27M
Industries AG
Most Advanced Accelleron
+17.96% 19,161
Wrestling Entertainment,
Inc. +16.98% 8.427M
Holding
Global
Solar
Co., Ltd. +15.56% 2.642M DiDi
Inc. +14.15% 46.339M Canadian
Inc. +13.79% 2.388M
Sciences
Ltd. +13.64% 6.984M
C C OMPANY OMPANY P P RICE RICE((P P)) C C HANGE((P P)) % C % C HG N N ET ET V V OL DOW JONES CLOSING PRICES 9 JANUARY
º º C C OMPANY OMPANY P P RICE RICE((P P)) C C HANGE HANGE((P P)) % C % C HG HG . N N ET ET V V OL OL COMPANY CHANGE NET / % VOLUME US dollar (USD) ........................................1.0692 Japan yen (JPY) 141.24 Switzerland franc (CHF) 0.9878 Denmark kroner (DKK) 7.4367 Norway kroner (NOK) 10.612 MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY WITH US See our advert on previous page 0.87908 1.13628 LONDON - FTSE 100 CLOSING PRICES 9 JANUARY Units per € COMPANY PRICE CHANGE OLUME(M) NASDAQ CLOSING PRICES 9 JANUARY M - MILLION DOLLARS THE ABOVE TABLE USES THE CURRENT INTERBANK EXCHANGE RATES, WHICH AREN T REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RATE WE OFFER currenciesdirect.com/la-zenia • Tel: +34 965 994 830 EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com FINANCE, BUSINESS & LEGAL 32
BUSINESS EXTRA
Finance fallouts
IN 2022 research from Royal London found that three in five couples have argued about money, with 62 per cent falling out over overspending. A quarter of respondents said they believe their partner is financially irresponsible, and a third admitted to keeping details of their savings and debts a secret.
ISA idea
LUCINDA O’BRIEN , savings expert at money.co. uk has suggested putting money in an ISA to save for the future. She said: “As much as we may try to put it to the back of our minds, money is something that can be a major source of stress, especially in the current economic climate.
Transfer debt
A MONEY saving expert suggests: “A balance transfer credit card lets you shift existing debt to a new card, you still owe the money but it’s interest free for up to 30 months. Aim for the longest zero per cent deal to pay off your debt, then look for the lowest fee.”
Bank of Dad
IN his new memoir entitled ‘Spare’, Prince Harry alleges that his father, King Charles III, told him that the royal family just didn’t have the funds to financially support his wife, Meghan Markle.
According to the Duke of Sussex, the king said he was already having to pay a huge amount to support not only Prince Harry but also to support his eldest son, Prince William, and his wife, Kate Middleton, and family.
“Pa didn’t financially support Willy and me, and our families, out of any largesse,” Harry, 38, claims in his memoir. “That was his job. That was the whole deal.”
E-commerce spending
E COMMERCE turnover in Spain increased in the second quarter of 2022 with a year on year growth of 33.1 per cent to a total €18.190 billion, according to the latest ecommerce data available on the CNMCData website.
The activity sectors with the highest revenue were travel agencies, with 10.2 per cent of the total turnover; followed by air transport, with 6.6 per cent, and clothing taking third place with 6.5 per cent. As regards the number of transactions, in the second quarter of 2022 more than 325 million transactions were registered, up 16.4 per cent. Restaurants lead the ranking in terms of sales (7.1 per cent).
In terms of geographical segmentation, 46.8 per cent of the revenue from the second quarter
of 2022 was to Spain. The remaining 53.2 per cent corresponds to purchases originating
Sustainable banking
SANTANDER has ranked among the world’s most sustainable banks in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2022 and among the top three in Europe.
The bank scored 83 points out of 100, placing it in the 98th percentile of all banks reviewed.
Santander has been featured on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the past 22 years.
The bank scored well in every category: economic (86), environmental (76) and social (83). It also highlighted areas where the bank has improved, such as financial inclusion, environmental and social reporting, climate strategy, privacy protection and customer relationship management.
The group ended the first half of the year as the world’s leader in renewable energy finance, with over €2.4 billion in 33 funding transactions and a
worldwide market share of 6.4 per cent, according to Infralogic’s ranking. In the past decade, Santander has been a leading bank in renewable energy finance, ranking among the top three in the world in the number of transactions and the top five in funding volume.
In supporting the fight against climate change and the green transition, Santander continues to make progress on its goal to reach net zero carbon emissions group wide by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. In 2022, Santander outlined three new interim targets to decarbonise its portfolios by 2030: a 29 per cent reduction in absolute emissions financed in the energy sector; a 33 per cent reduction in emissions intensity in the aviation sector; and a 32 per cent reduction in emissions intensity in the steel sector.
Image: Pop Tika/Shutterstock.com
what is purchased in Spain from foreign locations and what is purchased from Spain to foreign locations) shows a deficit of €7.046 billion.
The turnover of transactions originating in Spain that were sent to foreign locations totalled €9.683 billion, up 20.9 per cent on the figure from the second quarter of the previous year. A total of 92.3 per cent of purchases from Spain with destinations in foreign locations was sent to businesses within the EU.
Meanwhile, transactions from foreign locations to Spain have reached a turnover of €2,638 million, up 106.1 per cent on the figure from the second quarter of the previous year. Some 61.3 per cent of purchases from foreign locations originated in countries within the EU.
Student financing
WITH the aim of improving access to education, the European Investment Bank (EIB) recently commissioned a study on student finance.
Technopolis, the consultancy that is part of the consortium carrying out the study said more and more students need to finance their studies.
“Recognising the need to improve the financing gap experienced by higher education students that is preventing them from access to education and training, the EIB has asked the consortium to analyse ways to incentivise more financial or nonfinancial institutions to provide financial solutions for students,” Technopolis confirmed.
The consultancy said the study will map out the student financing market in EU member states and compare it with other countries.
Irish inflation
INFLATION is “at or close to the peak,” confirmed the Irish Finance Minister, Michael McGrath, on Wednesday, January 4.
“We do think that we are at or close to the peak at this point and that we will begin to see a moderation of inflation, particularly across the second quarter and beyond,” he added.
However, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe sounded a note of caution: “While the change in inflation is something that is to be welcomed and to be acknowledged, I think it’s too early to be able to conclude yet that it’s the sign of a trend that we can expect to continue across all of next year.”
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 www.euroweeklynews.com FINANCE 34
in Spain carried out through foreign locations. The external balance (the difference between
TURNOVER INCREASED: Activity sectors including travel saw highest rise.
Making progress towards goal.
Access to education.
Image: Krisana Antharith/Shutterstock.com Image: giuseppelombardo/Shutterstock.com
I DUNNO, perhaps it is me. Of course I sympathise with the victims of accidents in the home. Of course I find the initial results of many fire hazard investigations extremely worrying.
What I can’t get my head round is all those who come out of the woodwork and use these tragedies to whine about the conditions they all ‘have’ to live in. Among others, those who reside in areas resembling the notorious Broadwater Estate are a case in point.
“Why should we have to put up with these awful slum conditions?” they moan. Why doesn’t the government (natch!) do something about it? Well just a minute, illadvised as this high rise accommodation may have been, they were initially built in good faith.
The rules governing public buildings were and are, far more stringent than private projects. None of them began their existence as slum dwellings. None of them started out covered in graffiti, with lift shafts stinking of urine, or knee high in rubbish, used condoms and drug paraphernalia.
Flats originally built to accommodate families of four to six persons were never meant to cope with benefit scroungers boasting 10 or 15 offsprings, or jam packed with scores of ‘sub lets’.
All these conditions are brought on by those who move into them. Human beings create the environments they reside
In good faith
LEE SAYS
IT
OTHERS THINK IT
in. It’s time many of these residents started to get their own houses in order, rather than blaming all and sundry for their woes. Stop thinking about their so called ‘rights’ and start concentrating more on their own wrongs would be a start.
All over the UK there are scores of high rise estates, which are proudly and properly run by local councils and caring tenants. With their carefully tended gardens, playgrounds for the children and hardworking responsible residents, they are wonderful examples of how decent human beings, however diverse their cultures and backgrounds, can live in perfectly harmonious and orderly surroundings.
I suggest those who feel all the blame for their ‘misfortunes’ lay outside their own walls, either shape up or ship out. They are a drain on resources, a threat to democracy and utterly useless contribu
tors toward any future of the country that nurtures them.
I do feel sorry for the Yemenis. I always found them an extremely happy and caring people. I shall never forget their kindness when I found myself hopelessly stranded in the desert. Believe me, if I’d also known the steel runway reinforcing I helped deliver to that secret Saudi air base would one day be used to launch death and destruction among them, I would have ‘accidently’ allowed my truck to topple off that extremely precarious mountain pass! (It’s in the book!)
Let’s hope that this year peace and tranquility will once again prevail for these likeable people; they’ve suffered long enough.
Keep the faith
Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon and Fri. 1pm till 4.
ROYAL MESS OUR VIEW
For
WE are a traditional familyrun cycle store based in Quesada for the last 15 years and try our very best to improve people’s health and wellbeing through cycling.
Many people arrive at our shop looking for information and advice, they may not have cycled for a long time or in some cases, not at all, they may be overweight, have problems with their knees, hips, backs etc.
We try our best to encourage and motivate them to get on a bike and exercise, whether it is for 5km or 50km, as long as they are trying that is the main thing.
We cater for all types of cyclists throughout the Costa Blanca region and have a terrific range of quality cycles for everyone to enjoy. We have over 250 new and used bikes in stock with different sizes to suit all ages, heights and weights. If we do not have what you are looking for we
can source it normally within two to five days.
Our main range of bikes are Pinarello, Head, Romet and Urbanbiker. We also stock an extensive range of cycle accessories and have a large professional custom built workshop with Shimano certified staff who can carry out any type of repair or service to all makes and models of bike. Most repairs and services are carried out the same day.
So our advice to you, get on your
bike
Regardless of whether you agree with the principle of Harry and his wife’s original decision to step back from royal life or not, the result of this continued public airing of dirty laundry is an ongoing backlash particularly in the UK that cannot possibly be what anyone would want. This leads to the obvious question then, “what are they actually trying to achieve here?” If what the couple wanted was a chance to make tens of millions and to get off their chests their perceived grievances then job done. But what they are actually seeking seems to go further than this; rather than simply air their version of events, they are giving the impression of wanting the public on their side to acknowledge the harms they feel have been done to them. Is the best way to achieve this by publicly sharing personal family information when you know your counterparts do not have the same privilege though? Probably not. Equally, sharing information about your family in the weeks and months surrounding the deaths of the two most respected people at the top of it The Queen and Prince Philip was probably also very badly judged.
On the positive side though, what the Tom Bradby interview represents was at least a small win for journalism. In contrast to the couple’s Oprah interview two years earlier, this one did at least ask some of the harder questions of Harry the public must have been wanting to know the answers to. In increasingly uncertain times, that at least is something,
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PRINCE HARRY has been at it again, giving indepth detail about his family first in an interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby and then with the release of his memoir ‘Spare’ on Tuesday, January 10.
REGIFTING XMAS PRESENTS
NORAJOHNSON BREAKINGVIEWS
FALSE teeth, a scorpion in formaldehyde and a lamb castrating tool were among the weirdest items dropped in a charity’s donation boxes last year.
Barnardo’s revealed a list of bizarre items left by donors at its 620 UK stores in an appeal for people to bestow their unwanted Christmas gifts.
Jaws dropped when staff in South Yorkshire were given a pot containing nine human molars and a bag of infant clothes containing a baby’s dried umbilical cord and belly clip.
The false teeth were inside a handbag donated to the charity’s Glasgow store, while the bottled scorpion has since been passed on to a local university by Barnardo workers in St Andrews.
Staff in Staffordshire were amused by a message accompanying a pair of men’s shorts which read: “Wear these at your leisure, wear with pride and pleasure, and keep them safe to treasure. Geoff. X.”
Other quirky deliveries included a dead bird and a hamster cage still containing its deceased former occupant.
According to Barnardo’s, “Most of us have received Christmas presents that may be of good quality and costly, but just aren’t suitable for us.”
They might have added: “And not suitable for regifting Xmas 2023 either.”
Nora Johnson’s 11 critically acclaimed psychological crime thrillers (www.norajohnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99; £0.99), Apple Books, paperbacks, audiobooks at Amazon etc. Profits to Cudeca cancer charity.
Providing support
THE British Benevolent Fund provides financial assistance for British nationals in distress.
Some of the applications come from people living in extreme destitution many times aggravated by poor and deteriorating health.
One such case was brought to our attention by a concerned neighbour who lived in the rural hills near Granada.
A woman in her mid60s who had suffered a stroke and was paralysed down one half of her body, had facial paralysis on the other and whose medical report summarised that she was extremely dependent and needed 24hour home assistance.
She lived alone off a small UK pension in a modest rented property in a small and isolated village.
Despite living in Spain for many years she did not have residency and she would have great difficulty accessing the necessary health and welfare support that she would require to have any chance of
managing her life in addition to the enormous practical difficulties that she now faced.
The BBF was able to liaise with the Consulate to explore any possible repatriation to the UK so she would be able to receive the support she needed.
However, repatriation of a vulnerable person is a challenging process at the best of times in the case of bed ridden and extremely ill people this challenge is multiplied many times over.
The good news was that the Consulate was able to make arrangements for her access to UK health support if only we could get her there.
Thankfully with partners from https://www.supportin
spain.info/ we were able to do this, and we are indebted to the medical volunteers who gave up their time to help this lady, who now receives round the clock residential care in the UK.
The role of the BBF was a simple one to fund her repatriation but it would not have been possible without the donations we need in order to do this.
We support many cases such as this throughout the year please help us to help those who have no other recourse. Olaf.clayton@british benevolentfund.org
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com FEATURE 36
Olaf Clayton of BBF.
NoraJohnson’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.
Noraistheauthorofpopularpsychological suspenseandcrimethrillersandafreelancejournalist.
Nora’s latest thriller.
Choose the perfect chair
CAMPING is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with the outdoors, and what better way to feel at one with nature than sitting outdoors. Today we’re bringing you some top tips to help you choose the perfect camping chair to allow you to soak up all that your outdoor retreat has to offer.
There are several factors to consider:
Transport method
The first thing to think about
when choosing a camping chair is how you will travel during your camping trip. Lightweight stools that can strap on to the bottom of a backpack are a great option if you’re travelling without a car, but if you have a car you can afford to fit a larger chair in.
Size and height
The next thing to consider are your chair size and height preferences. Think about what you plan to use your chair for.
If you want a seat while you cook, you might want a lower chair than if you plan to use it for social chatting around the campfire.
Design
There are so many different styles of camping chairs on the market, think classic camp chairs, threelegged chairs, suspended styles, or even rocking chairs! It is useful to think about your own needs and try before you buy!
Cooking on your getaways
CAMPING is all about going back to basics, but there are some pieces of cooking equipment that can take your trip to the next level.
Compact utensils
You can certainly get by with the bare minimum, think a knife, fork and spoon, but sometimes it’s nicer to have a few more options. Plenty of multitool utensils are on the market, containing utensils like graters, scissors and tin openers and will improve your camping experience by giving you more options.
Cool box
Even just a small cool box can make a difference to your camping trip, giving you the op
tion to take more dairy products and enjoy a nice cold drink after a long day of outdoor activity.
Camping kettle/ coffee machine
What better way to wake up in the great outdoors than with an invigorating cup of coffee or warming cup of tea. Many camping kettles are collapsible or stackable and can be used for other purposes.
Seasonings
A small container with your favourite cooking seasonings means you can enjoy delicious flavours away from home. Bring a container of your favourites and you’ll never look back!
Environmentally-friendly camping holidays
MANY people are turning to camping as a more sustainable alternative to traditional jetsetting holidays, but it’s still important to be mindful of the environment while camping. Today we’re sharing some tips to help you have an environmentallyfriendly camping holiday.
Site choice
Choose your campsite with care. Environmental classification on Spanish campsites can be confusing as they vary between autonomous communities. However, many sites receive ratings on a threestar system, where three stars signify compliance with the most current environmental regulations. Other sites have ‘green’ ratings which shows compliance with EU environmental expectations.
Pack lightly
Try to pack only the essentials when camping, this avoids excess waste. Avoid taking disposable kit, instead
choose reusable items. If you don’t want to splurge on new equipment, many camping shops offer rental schemes, or you can check out secondhand websites to buy equipment cheaper.
Campfires
Avoid unnecessary or illegal campfires by only lighting fires in places where you are authorised to do so. Campfires can destroy animal habitats
and release polluting emissions, so don’t be a pyromaniac!
Water use
Keep an eye on your water use while camping, when washing up, brushing your teeth, and showering. Try to use ecological soaps to wash dishes and in the shower while camping as they often end up closer to nature than at home!
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 37 CAMPING euroweeklynews.com
Bring reusable containers when camping to reduce your impact on the environment.
Photo credit: Estrada Anton / shutterstock.com
Boost
ZINC is perhaps one of the less wellknown minerals, but it is a crucial part of our diets, especially during the winter thanks to its credentials in supporting our immune systems.
What does zinc do for our bodies?
Zinc is an essential vitamin that helps our immune systems to fight bacteria and viruses, making it a particularly valuable mineral during the winter. As well as reducing the symptoms of colds and flus, zinc can also prevent the onset of these viruses.
How can I boost zinc naturally?
Zinc is present in many foods which make up a healthy diet. Particular sources include meat, poultry, seafood, nuts, seeds, breakfast cereals and dairy products.
zinc intake
What about a supplement?
Dieticians generally recommend getting your daily intake of zinc from eating a healthy diet, but if you know you have a deficiency of zinc, a supplement can be a useful way of getting it. Nutritionists also recommend boosting zinc intake if you feel sicknesses coming on as it can
help you feel better more quickly.
The recommended daily dose of zinc is 15mg for men and 10mg for women. You can take zinc in tablet form, but exceeding the recommended dose is not advisable as it causes flu like symptoms and reduces your body’s ability to absorb other essential minerals including copper.
Keep your chin up
JANUARY 13 is the internationallyrecognised Day Against Depression. The day, which is three days before so called ‘Blue Monday’, the most depressing day of the year,
aims to raise awareness about how depression works and how the international community can fight it and other associated conditions.
Today we are sharing
three wellness tips to help you take care of your mental health during January, and to get 2023 off to a positive start!
1. Smart diet Although there is no way to prevent mental health issues, it is possible to improve your general mood by eating a balanced, healthy diet. Studies have also highlighted the benefits of foods containing Vitamin B 12 and Omega 3 in stabilising mood, while too much caffeine is not recommended.
2. Get outdoors Spending time outside is one of the simplest natural ways to improve your mood. Research has shown that being surrounded by nature can lift your mood, and simply changing scene can ease feelings of anxiety and depression. Being exposed to sunlight can also boost serotonin levels, leaving us feeling happier!
3. Socialise Having a strong support system can help to ease symptoms of depression. Spend time with friends or family, laughter is the best medicine after all! Even spending time with a pet can be therapeutic and help to improve your mood.
Spending time with friends or family can help you feel less alone and improve your mood.
Zinc is present in lots of foods in our daily diets, but you can take a supplement during the winter to help boost your immune system.
Photo credit: EtiAmmos/ shutterstock.com
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com HEALTH & BEAUTY 38 HEALTH & BEAUTY to read more Health & Beauty scan this QR Code
Photo credit: Evan Lorne / shutterstock.com
your
Dazzling smile
YOUR smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so it’s no surprise that many of us are after a dazzling white smile. Today, we’re sharing three top tips from a dentist on how to make your teeth look sparkly white so you can greet 2023 with a grin!
Whitening toothpaste
One of the simplest ways to get whiter teeth is by switching your regular toothpaste for one with whitening ingredients.
Dentists recommend avoiding toothpastes that contain bleach and at home whitening kits, as they can remove vital surface layers from your teeth and aren’t regulated by professionals.
Oral hygiene
Practising good dental health is crucial if you want sparkling white teeth. Cleaning your teeth at least twice a day helps to prevent the build up of plaque which is the enemy to dazzling white teeth. Supplement your daily dental routine by flossing and visiting your dentist for regular check ups and cleaning.
Avoid stains
They’re common habits in Spain, but drinking lots of coffee and smoking can leave ugly stains on your teeth which are difficult to remove naturally. Try to cut back on your unhealthy pleasures of cigarettes and coffee if you want to keep your pearly whites looking bright white!
Regimented skin care
WHETHER Santa brought you a new skincare product, or you’ve been using a product without seeing many results, we’re here to help you to get the most out of those antiageing products. Here are our top tips to actually see a change in your complexion.
Routine
The new year is here, which means it’s the perfect time to create a new routine. Scientists say it takes between 18 to 65 days for a habit to become a routine, so now is your chance to create a skincare routine and stick to it. This means using your antiageing products every day of January and into February until it becomes automatic.
Lifestyle
Those skincare products might promise youthful complexion, but they can’t do all
A facial massage is a great way to take better care of your skin and help anti-ageing products to work their magic.
the work alone. Ensure you aren’t counteracting the benefits of your skincare products with unhealthy habits. For glowing skin, you need to eat fresh foods and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle with regular pulseraising exercise.
Supplementary skincare
If you’re after healthylooking skin, supplement
your daily antiageing creams and lotions with facial massage. Facial massages are an excellent way to stimulate skin cell production which keeps your skin looking fresh and dewy. Professional massages are costly, but you can invest in a skin roller or selfmassage kit to care for your skin at home.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 39 HEALTH & BEAUTY euroweeklynews.com
HEALTH & BEAUTY to read more Health & Beauty scan this QR Code
Using a tooth whitening toothpaste is one straightforward way to a brighter smile
Photo credit: Olena Yakobchuk / shutterstock.com
Quitting time
SALLY UNDERWOOD POLITICAL ANIMAL
THE news that former MP for Devizes, Claire Perry, has torn up her Conservative membership card over the party’s environmental policies was clearly aimed as an indictment on the current government. But it also shines a spotlight on the once popular notion of being a cardcarrying member of a political party
While for years, being a member of a political party was a way of publiclyand often proudly showing allegiance to a particular party, rates of membership card ownership declined roughly as rapidly as that of blockbuster cards until 2013 when figures seemingly bottomed out at just 0.8 per cent of the electorate.
In a sign of some amount of increased political activism, this rate now stands at 1.5 per cent but the figures are still far from the 4 per cent of the
electorate who were card carriers in 1983.
What does this decline in membership say about the current state of politics? Are we more cynical? Perhaps in a world where we can switch our banking, house or car insurance with the click of a comparison site button we’re just no longer used to committing to ideas like our political ideologies longterm? Or are we just disillusioned?
This also begs the question, what’s the alternative when it comes to funding politicians? Where campaign fundraising on a constituency level is often done by the sort of cheese and wine evenings you would expect from local politics, a drop in membership funding leaves a shortfall that now seems to be picked up by an array of billionaires with one company, MPM Connect Ltd now apparently the third largest donor to individual politicians.
If the alternative to anonymous companies funding our politics beyond the scene is paying for political party membership, I’d encourage us all to sign up.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com FEATURE 40
Sally’sopinionsareherownandarenotnecessarilyrepresentativeofthoseofthepublishers,advertisersorsponsors.
DIVERSITY AND FUN
I LOVE reading the Euro Weekly every week. It always has such a diverse amount of content, and it always gives me ideas on what to do with the kids during the week, I never knew there was a parade for the Three Kings! The kids really enjoyed it and we collected bags of sweets, it was so nice to see the community come together and do something nice.
Thank you, Euro Weekly News
Woof woof
IT’S so great to see so many people come together and collect toys for children in need, especially to children that really need them. I hope they all enjoyed their gifts. It was so thoughtful. The front page made me giggle seeing grown men with beards driving around with dog teddy bears. Fair play boys!
Graham West
Bus lanes!
HOW dare Nottingham fine their own city and people such money, people are going through enough these days to be fined. I wouldn’t be surprised if the signing is inadequate! All of them these days tend to be. I just want to drive around in peace and not have to worry about constant fines. Don’t even get me started on cycle lanes.
Disgruntled
British Benevolent Fund
IT is so eye opening seeing these stories every week on expatriates who have unfortunately not been able to come to Spain and live their dream just like they probably thought they would have when they were back home in the UK. Such tremendous work done by the organisation and I have been forwarding these articles to everyone I know at home who is thinking about coming to live in Spain.
Janice Smith
Fighting festive flab
My festive flab I believe will be going nowhere this January. However, I will be keeping it in mind for February after the hubby gets me a great deal of chocolates (fingers crossed). I will keep you up to date, these lunges and oblique climbers seem quite intense, but I am excited to give them a go, I don’t think I’ll be able to do the cycling sit ups they have in mind. I haven’t thrown my leg over a bike since I was a young lass.
With love, Gwen
Leapy Lee
I DON’T usually agree with Leapy Lee, however, the beginning of last week’s column made sense. The stress that the NHS are under now is gastronomical and the treatment of Britons in the UK when it comes to living conditions is becoming horrendous. Especially that of single mothers, more needs to be done for them and their children.
Mould is unsafe and can cause long term problems and trouble to anyone and the fact that people are living in these conditions in the 21st century and in a country that is labelled as ‘one of the best’ in the world is outrageous. I don’t know who it is that can help us governmentally wise, I won’t be sharing that opinion in this letter. But more does need to be done to help those who need health care and safe and secure housing. The UK needs to do better, we shouldn’t have to rely on food banks to feed the population. The government needs to do more with their big pay checks.
Patricia Gordon
Furry friends
THE articles based on our furry friends always bring a smile to my face and I can’t wait for next week’s addition, I have an Akita mixed with a Staffie and he is my pride and joy. The pictures always make my day and bring a smile to my face.
If you can keep on doing them do! and insert more! I think if more people saw and spent time with animals that they would be more relaxed and considerate towards others. I won’t get into the debate of what is better, cats or dogs. But dogs are better!
Rebecca D
Coming together
IT is so nice to see all the events on and organised every week for those who are in need. The generosity of others is nice to see, especially with the current circumstances of the world right now.
The event in Mijas for all the children was so sweet and it warmed my heart, especially everything those children have had to go through. They deserved that experience and deserve more things like that. Especially when it is so easy to be mean in today’s society.
Letters should be emailed to yoursay@euroweeklynews.com or make your comments on our website: euroweeklynews.com Views expressed and opinions given are not necessarily those of the EWN publishers. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of information, errors, omissions or statements.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 41 LETTERS euroweeklynews.com
Sally West
FUN TIME: It’s so nice to see children enjoying themselves.
Credit: altanaka/Shutterstock.com
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DAVID WORBOYS THINKING ALOUD
CRISTIANO RONALDO (not to be confused with the great Brazilian Ronaldo whose name is on his new shirt) is moving to Saudi Arabia on a reported annual income (including €130 million commercial rights and sponsorships) amounting to €200 million. This equates to €16.7 million monthly, €3.85 million weekly or €550,000 daily. Each day he will be earning 17 times the average annual salary in Spain, which is about €32,600.
Every day our hearts beat 100,000 times and we breathe in and out 22,000 times. This means that by the age of 80, we will have taken 673 million breaths (in and out, of course) and chalked up almost three billion heartbeats. On average we have between 6,000 and 8,000 thoughts a day (and night).
The fairyfly, although smaller than a grain of salt, has a brain containing several thousand cells. The brain of an ant contains
AMAZING BUT (ROUGHLY) TRUE
galaxy (the Milky Way) is 100 billion, which is about the average number per galaxy. There are two trillion galaxies in the universe. This means there are 200 septillion stars in the universe (200,000,000,000,000,000,000,00 0,000). There must therefore be 133 stars for every grain of sand in the Sahara.
In the past 25 years, Antarctica has lost three trillion tons of ice to global warming.
Over 98 per cent of pigs and chickens in the United States are confined in factory farms.
250,000 cells. The average human brain has 40,000 times more (a mere 10 billion out of 37 trillion cells in the entire body).
There are three trillion trees on our planet 400 for every human being. Not a lot of people know that! There are also 17 million flies for every human.
This means there are almost 120 quadrillion of them (120,000,000,000,000,000). Don’t ask me how they discover this or
who worked it out. It must be somebody tired of doing crossword puzzles. Obviously, these are rough estimates by various institutions and in some cases estimates vary quite widely, but some of the statistics are mindblowing, nevertheless.
The black hole is three million times the size of the Earth and is 54 million light years away. As the speed of light is about 300,000 kilometres per second, this means
one light year is 21 trillion kilometres. On this basis, the black hole is over one sextillion (1,134,000,000,000,000,000,000) km from the Earth.
Somebody has managed to estimate that the number of grains of sand in the Sahara is more than 1.5 septillion (1,504,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000). But is this staggering fact of any practical use?
The universe contains 6.5 billion suns. The number of stars in our
The amount of plastic in our oceans would cover the entire area of Spain and Portugal. Unless there is action against climate change it is estimated that there will soon be more plastic in the Atlantic Ocean than fish and marine life.
OPENED in October ‘With Love’ in Ciudad Quesada is conveniently located opposite the Galp petrol station next to the Arches. This beautiful new shop is within a short walk from the recently closed Card and Gift shop, however this is so much more than a card and gift shop!
In addition to offering an extensive range of cards and gifts at great prices it incorporates All in 1 offering a comprehensive range of services. All in 1 seeks to provide customers with multiple services under one roof, making it your one stop shop for all your needs.
One important service offered is the British Passport Service for all your requirements whether that be a renewal, replacement or a new application, they can assist you. This service is carried out in a relaxed environment, which includes taking your passport photos, completion of the passport application and safe courier service returned directly to the shop. Once your passport has been re
ceived you will be contacted to collect it by the friendly team. Both Lewis and Julie are wellknown for their helpful attitude and wealth of experience so you can relax knowing you are in safe hands.
With Love has both a UK and Worldwide Postal/Courier service, secure inbound post facility and is an official parcel point for DHL, GLS and InPost (Mundial Relay). So, if it needs sending, send it With Love!
The shop is very welcoming being modern, light and airy and offers a host of other services and products listed here: Helium Balloons, Partyware, Stationery, New Paperback Books, Graphical Design, Business Card, TopUps / SIMS, Canvases, Photo Restorations, Photo Printing, Flight Bookings & Boarding Passes, NIE/TIE/Visa & ID Photographs, Mobile Top Ups, Photocopying, Laminating, General Printing and much more!
ing customers plenty of choice, so you are sure to find something suitable. Giftware ranges from inexpensive impulse gifts to the more exclusive items for those special occasions. They even offer a personalised giftware range to add that special touch. Items that can be personalised are various glasses, mugs, plaques, frames and jars which are made to order creating a wonderful oneoff gift that will be treasured forever. With Love truly offers a unique experience yet despite all that is on offer the prices remain attractive throughout the store.
So please pop in and see what Lewis and Julie have to offer, they are an experienced and friendly team who will be delighted to see you.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com FEATURE 44
David Worboys’s opinions are his own and are not necessarily representative of those of the publishers, advertisers or sponsors
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There are 17 million flies for every human on the planet.
Photo Credits: Tom Myers and crowdcontrolwarehouse
Advertising Feature With Love is open: Monday to Friday 09.00 until 17.00, Saturdays from 09.00 until 14.00. Tel: 604 437 385 Avenida de las Naciones 1a, Local 17, Ciudad Quesada 03170 A truly unique experience WITH LOVE: The experienced and friendly team will be delighted to see you.
Saving the pennies
HAVING a pet can sometimes put financial pressure on our household budgets, particularly as inflation and the cost of living have increased during the last year. Today, we’re sharing four tips to help you save money on pet care without neglecting your pet’s needs.
1. Work out the essentials
The first step towards
Personality type by pet
THERE might be some truth to the phrase ‘pets take after their owners’ according to a new study which has found that in many cases owners do indeed opt for pets with personality traits that emulate their own.
Today we share what your choice of animal companion says about you!
Dogs
Canine owners tend to have more extroverted characters, and are more energetic and agreeable people. Those who go for a dog as a pet typically excel in teamwork activities and are excellent companions themselves.
Cats
Those choosing a feline friend tend to be more introverted people, cat owners have a keen eye for detail and are usually more emotionally sensitive people. Cats are wellsuited to night owls, who spend more time awake during the night.
Birds
Like birds themselves, pet owners who choose a bird are usually freespirited individuals who are optimistic about life.
Fish
Pet owners opting for fish are trusting, calm people who respect their pets’ independence. Some studies have al
so found that fish owners deal well with mental health issues and report lower stress levels than other pet owners.
Rabbit
Rabbit owners are thought to have several shared qualities with cat owners. They are often introverted, creative people who also have a tendency to be sensitive at times.
saving money on pet care is deciding what is actually necessary for their daily lives. Ensuring your pet is healthy, well fed and gets enough exercise should be your financial priorities, and should take precedence over buying new accessories or additional grooming.
2. Take preventative measures
Neglecting a pet’s health is not only abusive, it can also be more costly in the long run. Instead, take care of your pet’s health by making sure they eat a substantial, healthy diet containing all the necessary nutrients for their growth and development. This will help to prevent against worrying health concerns and costly vet bills.
3. Shop around Don’t just accept the first price you see for your pet’s favourite food products. Instead, compare by visiting different pet shops or looking online for the best deals, and you could save money on pet essentials like food and medications. It can also be worth checking out the ingredients in options by competitor brands, as ingredients are often similar.
The benefits of canine physiotherapy
PHYSIOTHERAPY can help a variety of problems including spine and other neurological problems, arthritis, strains and sprains and postoperative rehabilitation.
The life expectancy of animals is increasing a lot, which mainly leads to more osteoarthritis and joint and mobility problems. Osteoarthritis is the most frequent cause of lameness in dogs, estimating that 20 per cent of dogs older than one year are affected.
Physiotherapy, included in a multidisciplinary programme, is where it can bring us the greatest benefit.
A variety of soft tissue techniques (eg massage), Joint techniques (eg mobilisations and stretching), and electrotherapy treatments (eg TENS) , lasertherapy, Ultrasound, hydrotherapy and Shockwaves are incorporat
Treating
ed into animal physiotherapy treatments.
Exercise rehabilitation is also a very important part.
Photo: NikomMaelao Production / shutterstock.com
Always check out the ingredients listed on pet foods if you want to save money on essential pet care.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 45 PETS euroweeklynews.com POLICE/FIRE/AMBULANCE: 112 24 HOUR PHARMACY FARMACIA ALICANTE - 965 910 220 FARMACIA PLAYA DEL CURA966 706 880 24 HOUR VETS HOSPITAL VETERINARIA SANT VICENTE965 668 582 EMERGENCY NUMBERS In Costa Blanca Sur: www.resonanciaveterinaria.es Centro Veterinario de Diagnóstico por Imagen de Levante C/Los Arcos 23 Ciudad Quesada, Rojales. Tel: 609 779 109 Advertising Feature Photo credit: Eric Isselee / shutterstock.com Your choice of pet could speak volumes about your personality according to scientific research.
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J & J PAINTERS. Insideoutside - clean - fast - low cost. Torrevieja - Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. Tel: 650 363 159 (294244)
MOBILE homes & static caravans bought, sold and transported. +34 630 055 418 or elsyd7@hotmail.com (294686)
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
PRIVATE collector will buy your Gold, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel - 678 716 693 (288662)
IS ALCOHOL COSTING YOU MORE THAN MONEY? Drinking to excess not only affects your health it can spill over into every other aspect of your lifedamaging everything that is important to you. English-speaking AA meetings are held throughout the Costa Blanca from Valencia City to Murcia. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting or discuss a possible drinking problem contact Costa Blanca North: 648 169 045 or Costa Blanca South: 625 912 078 or Costa Calida 679 385 105 All calls are treated in the strictest confidence. AA in German: 645 456 075; Spanish: 679 212 535; Flemish: 635 047 053; and Scandinavian: 659 779 222. www.aa-costablan ca.org (93323)
CAMPELLO CONTRA CANCER in conjunction with AECC Association Español Contra Cancer. Please support your local Cancer charity and if you wish to obtain literature or simply talk to someone. Please contact Mina or Trisha. Tel 650 071 278 or 610 921 413 e-mail aecc_campello@hotmail.com (95475)
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) MURCIA/MAR MENOR Help and support is just a phone call away, Avda Rio Nalón, Tel: 693 275 779 (95462)
CHURCH SERVICE IN ENGLISH Tel: 950 617 549 www.givinglight.com.(10006)
FREEMASONRY . Are you aware that Freemasonry is thriving on the Costa Blanca? There are various Lodges meeting up throughout the Valencia region. If you already are a Mason or simply wish to know more about Freemasonry in Spain please contact sec@ glpvalencia.com Tel 600 841 064 (95477)
HELP VEGA BAJA. We are a non-profit making organisation that helps and supports anyone, without prejudice, in times of need or crisis within the Vega Baja area. Our offices are
based in San Miguel at Calle Lope de Vega 46 (Tel 966 723 733), Torrevieja at Rambla Juan Mateo Garcia 4 (Tel 965 704 282). We are online at www.helpvegabaja.com and also on Facebook. You can email the San Miguel Centre at office@helpvegabaja.com. We also have a 24-hour Emergency helpline which is available to both members and non-members on 966 723 733 (95456)
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY, TORREVIEJA Calle Beniajan 16, Torrevieja 03185, Alicante Evangelical non-denominational church. Sunday morning Services at 11.00am. All nationalities welcome - Contact 966 752 543 / 966 799 273.For other church matters phone: 966 799 273 / /617 215 463 www.icatorrevieja.org (95476)
LA SIESTA EVANGELICAL CHURCH on Urbanisation La Siesta, Torrevieja is a friendly, English-speaking church. For more information, including details of our services, see our website www.lasiestaevangeli calchurch.org (10005)
PHILIP SCOTT LODGE No 10671 of the RAOB. Please call the secretary, Colin Bird on 693 287 614 for further information. (95459)
PILAR CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH. All welcome from any church background or none. For further information, www.pilarchurch.org Reg No: 2009-SG/A (95463)
ROYAL Air Force Association Costa Blanca Registered Members Group: The RAFA Costa Blanca RMG replaces the RAFA Costa Blanca Branch 1359 which is now closed. The RMG is a social group of caring people and remains affiliated to the parent Association. Contact with the Royal Air Force Association and the RMG can be made via the RAFA website rafa.org.uk Tel:0044 8 00 018 2361. (238593)
ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONWhy not make this year the year you volunteer? See how you can help either as a caseworker (with full training) or as a Telephone Buddy. We also visit beneficiaries who are housebound or in hospital. If you feel you could support us here in Spain, and you have a Spanish phone number then why not email us for more info tbuddyhhvisits@gmail.com. If you or your partner served or are serving, and you feel you need help or support then contact us using the details on the card, we are here for the small things as well as the big, sometimes talking to someone is the first step to feeling more in control. It can be a personal need or some help with your home or information on what or who to speak to on a medical issue, we help with signposting if we cannot help di -
rectly, just call and have a chat with Pam who will try to guide you to where you need to be. If you would like to go to a branch meeting then find your nearest one at, http://branch es.britishlegion.org.uk/branch es/orihuela-costa - covering from Punta Prima to San Javier. More info can be found on branch website www.orihuela costarbl.co.uk. (95457)
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch. For info, contact the branch Secretary at granalacant.secre tary@rbl.community
ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION (Costa Blanca) The aim of the Association is to bring together not just ex Royal Marines, but ex Service personnel with an affinity to the Royal Marines. For further details contact Hon Sec P S Wilkins Tel: 966 194 158 email: inkin spain@yahoo.co.uk (10004)
ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION For information please contact Chairman Anthony Jenkins +34 693 866 709, Vice Chairman Dusty Miller +34 711 006 670, Secretary Mike Cockman +34 670 224 822, Treasurer Carl Louden +34 678 518 202, email rnatorrevieja@aol.com (95455)
STROKE ASSOCIATION Spain (formally known as Torrevieja stroke support) Our aim is to help and support stroke survivors and their carers, with rehabilitation, speech therapy, OC therapy and a very active social group. For info please contact 653 588 475 English and 620 907 474 Spanish or email strokesupportgroup@hot mail.com , website: torrevieja strokesupport.org. We are always looking for volunteers who have the skills and knowledge to support. (95473)
THE AIRCREW ASSOCIATION COSTA BLANCA BRANCH. Former & serving aircrews of the UK or Allied Armed Forces are welcome to join this convivial & friendly organisation, now in its 21st year. www.acacostablan ca.org or call the Secretary on: 966 495 042 (95465)
THE ANGLICAN CHURCH, La Fustera. For more info: contact Frank Bentley on 966 495 188. (95461)
THE BAKER Foundation Spiritual Centre Playa Flamenca. Calle Luis Gordillo, 1 Playa Flamenca Alicante 03189. You can join us on Facebook, The Baker Foundation spiritual centre. Or contact Linda Schug Tel. 606 990 665 for more details (95458)
THE PATIENCE LODGE No 2177 of the R.A.O.B Please call Secretary Dave Tonge on 688 704 091 for further information. (253807)
THE SPIRITUALIST CENTRE, Benijofar meets at Hamilton’s Bake House, 62 Calle Vicente,
Blasco Ibañez, Benijofar 03178. We hold a Sunday Sevrice at 11.30am. For further information: www.spiritualist centre-benijofar.com . Telephone 711 060 171. Email mar tindroute66@hotmail.com. Fiscal G54713789
MOVERS AND SHAKERS We are a non-profit organisation that supports people and their families with neurological diseases such as; HUNTINGTON’S, ATAXIA, MOTOR NEURONE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS and PARKINSON’S. Our MOVERS AND SHAKERS CLUB held every Friday @ 1pm –3pm, is a chance for members to meet up socially, for a drink and a chat on a full range of topics and to exchange ideas and information. The club is held at O’Briens Bar in El Raso, Guardamar del Segura (except July and August). For more details, contact Marion Smith on 711 008 250, or email: mari on.smith@amscb.org.es, or you can find us on Facebook : fb@movers and shakers www.amscb.org.es (295976)
INSURANCE. WE CAN EVEN INSURE YOU FOR UP TO A €1,000 OF WATERLOSS. CALL 686 116 297 (WHATSAPP TO) OR VISIT www.sosinsuranceinspain. com or email tracey@sosin suranceinspain.com (301484)
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MR FIXIT. For all your electrical, plumbing, general & appliance & boiler repairs. No call out charge. 698 320 434 (290288)
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EXPERIENCE the best with a 1hr unique massage with Veronica. Shaving or permanent hair removal available. For appointments call 679 292 678 (295446)
WANTED Gold, Silver, Rolex & Patek Philippe Watches Tel678 716 693 (288662)
CLASSIC SPANISH LADY , Playa Flamenca area, private premises, all massage services from 40€. Ana 657 603 495 (302126)
ATTRACTIVE, Girlfriend, Professional Masseuse relaxing and therapeutic Masseuse. Tel: 693 357 526 (295448)
RELAXING MASSAGE FOR MEN - Mario qualified masseur in Alicante - Special Massage for Men - 7 days 10am to 10pmAPPOINTMENTS visit : www.masajeyrelax.es/en or WHATSAPP 649 761 607 (302343)
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BATHROOM & KITCHEN Conversions Costa Blanca, contact 698 320 434. (293206)
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ARCHITECT BUILDING SERVICES BUY & SELL CARS FOR SALE CARAVANS CHARITY ELECTRICIAN FOR SALE/WANTED GOLD WANTED HEALTH & BEAUTY HOME IMPROVEMENTS INSURANCE MASSAGE MISCELLANEOUS CARE HOME CHARITY If you can read it, so can your clients. Contact us and have your business grow at + 34 951 386 161 5 - 11 January 2023 • euroweeklynews.com CLASSIFIEDS 52 SPONSORED BY
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Korando - a worthy SUV contender
ROAD TEST
byMarkSlack
YOU could be forgiven for thinking that it’s an SUV from a mainstream European manufacturer. It has a somewhat old school premium look and although a little ‘heavy’ on the rear styling is obviously no automotive bargain basement in the quality department.
SsangYong made its name, as all such car makers do, with bargain price vehicles, but it has a long history that goes back to the mid1950s in its native Korea.
The range starts with the Tivoli hatchback, there’s the Korando and Rexton SUVs, plus the Musso pick up. Prices for the range start from €22,310 (£19,645) for
modest, by today’s standards, €24,757 (£21,795) and comes very well equipped.
Cruise control, auto lights and wipers, powered folding and heated door mirrors, Bluetooth, air con and a plethora of safety kit.
In topline Ultimate trim, the Korando tested here (1.5litre petrol automatic) is €34,239 (£30,145) and the equipment list climbs dramatically with every possible
of toy and gadget you’ll ever need.
This includes a remote operated power tailgate, a nineinch touchscreen, privacy glass, navigation, Bluetooth with Apple Car Play and Android Auto, leather upholstery, eightway power adjustable front seats, heated seats and a steering wheel and more besides.
Power comes from either 1.5litre turbocharged petrol
KORANDO: Offers tremendous value for money.
speed is 117mph. The majority of the time the Korando doesn’t feel slow or underpowered, long hills apart when your right foot resolves the problem albeit with some audible protest.
place to be with a premium feel.
or 1.6litre turbocharged diesel engine, two wheel drive and sixspeed manual or automatic gears. On the road, my 1.5litre petrol proved a refined drive with smooth changes from the auto box.
Performance isn’t earthshattering in that a smallish engine pulling a fairly hefty SUV is not a recipe for the SUV Grand Prix. Hence 60 mph takes a leisurely 12 seconds and the maximum
Inside a modern, nicely laid out dash is dominated by a usefully large touchscreen and (hurrah!) buttons. Generous seat adjustment and space ensures the occupants are well catered for and it’s a rather nice
There are downsides such as thinly spread dealerships, potentially larger than average depreciation and euro rivals that offer more power and a better economy.
The Korando is still a genuinely good entry into the SUV arena and offers tremendous value for money, especially lower down the range. It deserves a much wider audience.
Facts at a Glance
• Model: SsangYong Korando Ultimate
• Engine: 1.5-litre, turbocharged, petrol
• Gears: 6-speed automatic
• Performance: 0-100 kph (60 mph) 12 seconds/Maximum Speed 188 kph (117 mph)
• Economy: 7.9 l/100km (35.5 mpg) combined WLTP
• Emissions: 182 g/km
The model tested was UK-specification and equipment levels and prices may vary in other markets.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com MOTORING 54 MOTORING to read more MOTORING scan this QR Code
Spot the radar
THE Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) in Spain has over 780 permanent and hundreds of mobile traffic radars scattered across its roads that are often hidden from view.
In order to avoid highspeed road accidents, Spain’s DGT has a wide network of fixed and mobile radars across the country that assist in controlling the speed of vehicles while ensuring drivers comply with traffic regulations.
But despite the fact that anybody can see the position of these radars on the official DGT website, these devices are frequently out
of the drivers’ direct line of sight. Due to this, the DGT is now suggesting that drivers can easily locate these radars the next time they are driving.
The trick is to look at the supports of the gantry (overhead structure with signboards and cameras) to see if they include a ladder on any of their posts. If they have a ladder, the reason why they are there is to help the operators get on top of the structure, in order to carry out maintenance or calibrate the sensors. This increases the probability of a fixed radar on that section of the road.
Demanding measures
IN 2019, data shows that 28 per cent of the people killed in traffic accidents were over 64 years old. As a result, the DGT said it is looking to apply more demanding measures for drivers of this age group and above. Their aim, as always, is to increase road safety and reduce the number of deaths at the wheel.
According to data from the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), more than four million people over 65 years of age have an active driving licence in Spain. This represents more than 15 per cent of the country’s driver census.
One of the most important measures to be reviewed is periods of validity of the licences of older drivers. At present, when a person reaches the age of 65, their driving licence must be renewed every five years. In the case of professional drivers, after this age, renewal is every
three years. Not everything is going to be more restrictive for those over 65 years old though. The DGT announced on its website that people 65 years of age and upwards will be able
to attend the Traffic offices without the need for a prior appointment (except for changes of permits) at any time during opening hours, as long as the request is for themselves and not on behalf of another person.
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Photo by Marques Shutterstock.com
CONTROLLING SPEED: DGT explains ways to find hidden fixed radars in Spain.
Gareth Bale retires New Portugal coach
WELSH team captain Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from football.
The Wales football captain Gareth Bale announced his decision to retire at the age of 33, from international as well as club football.
Football legend Gareth Bale took to social media and announced his decision to retire from professional football.
According to a post made by the Welsh player on Twitter, he said “After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.”
The post further adds, “I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love.
“It (football) has truly given me some of the best moments of my life.
“The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.”
Considered as one of the greatest football players to ever come out of Wales, Bale was born in the capital Cardiff and started his football career at Southhampton at the age of 16.
His talent eventually led him to be a part of Tottenham Hotspur and helped Real Madrid win five champions league titles.
Bale later moved to the US in June 2022 to play for the Los Angeles Football Club, after his nineyearold contract at Real Madrid expired.
PORTUGAL has officially announced former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez as their new international football coach. Roberto Martinez has been officially announced on Monday, January 9, as the new coach of Portugal’s national men’s team. After being fired as manager of Belgium following the Qatar World Cup, Martinez landed himself a top job almost instantly, signing a deal until 2026.
He replaces 68yearold Fernando Santos, who was also relieved of his position after the World Cup campaign steering them to victory in the 2016 Euros. Martinez previously managed Wigan and Everton before spending six years as the boss of Belgium. Leaving behind a
selection of players that was dubbed Bel gium’s ‘golden era’, Martinez now inherits an abundance of Portuguese talent. The 49 old Spaniard now faces the monumental task of making a decision about the international future of Cristiano Ronaldo. “I’m very happy to be here, I’m delighted to be able to represent one of the most talented teams in the world.” he said as he was unveiled at a press conference.
On the subject of Ronaldo, the new coach offered: “Football decisions have to be
taken on the pitch. I’m not a coach that makes decisions
ing point is to get in touch with all the players, the list of 26 from the World Cup, and Cristiano Ronaldo is on that
VICTORIA LEE, a rising star in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has tragically passed away aged just 18. The young fighter’s death was confirmed by her older sister Angela, who said in an Instagram post that Victoria died on December 26. No cause of death was revealed.
Angela’s post read: “On December 26, 2022, our family experienced something no family should ever have to go through… It is incredibly difficult to say this… Our Victoria passed away.”
MMA star passes at age 18
“She has gone too soon and our family has been completely devastated since then. We miss her. More than anything in this world. Our family will never be the same. Life will never be the same,” she added.
As reported by the Bleacher Report, Victoria first burst onto the MMA scene at the age of 16 when she signed up in February 2021. She had an undefeated
record of three wins in three fights with the MMA promotion company ‘ONE’. Victoria was scheduled to appear in her fourth fight for ‘ONE’ on January 13. According to Yahoo! Sports, it was being broadcast through Prime Video 6.
Competing as an amateur at the junior level, Victoria had already made a name for herself by becoming the junior world
champion in the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). She was also a Hawaii state wrestling champion and won the Hawaiian pankration junior world championship twice.
Her sister Angela is the atomweight champion with ‘ONE’, while her brother Christian, during 2022, also picked up both the lightweight and welterweight titles.
A celebration of Victoria’s life is being planned for January 22, after which she will be buried.
EWN 12 - 18 January 2023 euroweeklynews.com SPORT 56
Roberto Martinez is moving to Portugal as coach.
Image: Portugal FC/Twitter.com